THE BRICKLAYERS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2153, 20 May 1914, Page 5

THE BRICKLAYERS

HOURS OF WORK & WAGES

A DOMINION AWARD' SOUGHT

Preliminary steps towards the obtaining of a Dominion award are being taken by tlio New Zealand Federated Bricklayers'' Industrial Union of <Workers, and in connection therewith tho ■Wellington branch of the Federation recently served the employers in the Wellington district with demands for tho proposed award. Tho dispute came beforo a Conciliation Council yesterday morning, when the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Ilally) presided. Tho employers woro represented by ■Messrs. William Ferguson, W. H. Bennett, A. 31. Wilson (assessors), and W. A. W. Greiifell (agent), while tlio representatives of tho union were: Messrs. W. E. Gibson, A M'Malion r : H. Hanton (assessors), and J. Gressier (agent).

Demands of tho Union. Tho demands of the union were for a week of 44 hours (as against the present week of 45 hours), with wages at tho rate of Is. 9d. per nour (as against the present rate of Is. 7d.per.hour). On certain special classes of work, the' union asked that the rate of pay should bo time and a quarter, while for all repairs to bakers' ovens (done during ordinary working hours) doublo time was asked. In regard to suburban work (i.e., work done beyond a radius of 1$ miles and within a radiusv of 8 miles from the G.P.0.), the union applied for an allowance for travelling time and expenses, and in regard to country work (i.e., work done beyond a radius of 8 miles of the G.P.0.) an extra payment of 18s. per week was sought as well as tho allowance of travelling timo and expenses. As to tlio classification of labour, the stipulation was for two classes (journeymen and apprentices), with a considerable increase in tho wages of apprentices, • while special provisions were included in the demands in relation to overtime and holidays, under-rato workers, .shed accommodation, payment of wages,, etc. Tlie preference clauso read as follows:—

_ "Preference of employment must bo given to members of any industrial union of bricklayers operating in tlio Dominion always provided that such worker joins the union ivithin seven days after starting work. "All non-unionists now employed shall within seven days after being requested to do so become enrolled as members of the union.

"If any employer shall hereafter en--gago any worker who is not a member of the union and who, within seven days after his engagement, shall ««t become a member of tho union, the employer shall ■ dismiss' such worker from his service, if requested ;to do so by" the union or its representative. \ ■ "The provisions: of this clause shall operate so long as tho rules of the oinion permit any journeyman bricklayer of good character and sober hab,its to become a member of the union .upon payment of a fee not exceeding 5s -> Won a written application without ballot or other clectiou, and to cnntiiiuo a member upon payment of subsequent \contvibutions not exceeding 6'd. per-week. , Employers shall not discriminate against unionists in tho engagement or dismissal of nor in the conduct of their ■ busiuosa, op do auything lor tho purpose of injuring the union, whether directly or indirectly."

Employers' Proposals. _ Counter-proposals wore submitted by the ..employers, who suggested u week oi , ; 14 Hours with wages at the, rate of 13.'7 d. per hour. The. preference clause was - strongly objected to is wore the alterations suggested in the definition or suburban work and country work. In regard to tho general provisions, the employers' put forward proposals based on the terms .of the carpenters' award Discussing the- prospects of a Dominv a ' v 3^.' Mr.. Bennett ;pointed out that, before this could be brought about tho parties, would have to como to an agreement on tho point. The Employers Federation, he said, would not agreo to it.

Mr. Hanton replied that it was the desire of the workers to submit the matter to the employers in the four centres and get them to agreo f it. If that could not be done they would have to get the Court to fix it up. fni +i applied for exemption for tho Gear Meat Preserving and f tc V' in re S ard t° repair -H" Pointed out that men were permanently employed throughout the jear really to imdertako repair work, o t s iS IS +i W01 " r ,sually Jmd to be d ° n ° outsido the ordinary working hours, a fixed rate of overtime being paid. , It was mentioned, "that tho union would object to,the'firm being exempted \v ir Pm F /- lvas also sought by tho Si) 1 Coy '' Ltd - boug®i lh ,° company wanted certam classes of work, for which extra™ of pay were asked, more clearly defined 8 id in this connection counter propos&en C "to"tt ltte<V T' lile ob i«tion auen to the amendments proposed to ;bo made to the terms oK the „Ward a 01, SnL appl '°?i tions wer ° all noted until this .norning 0 " 10 tlm<v ad i oll ra e d