ARBITRATION COURT

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 2456, 8 May 1915, Page 12

ARBITRATION COURT

ELECTRICAL WORKERS' DISPUTE Hearing of disputes occupied the time of the Arbitration Court yesterday morning. His Honour Mr. Justice Stringer presided, aud sitting ■with him as assessors were Messrs. E. P. Duthie (employers' representative) and J. A. M'Cullough (employees' representative). Tho electrical -workers' dispute was the first on the list. Mr. \V. C. Noot appeared for the union, which sought a 45-hour week with wages at the rate of Is. Bd. per hour and preference to unionists. Mr." Noot stated that the claim for an increase in wages was • based upon the faot that other trades working under like conditions. and requiring certificated men were now receiving higher rates than the electrical workers.

Mr. \Y. A. \Y. Greiifell, who appeared for the employers, objected to preference, particularly to tlwt form of preference sought by the union. Ho argued that, as numbers of -workers in tho trade were at the present time being paid in excess of the minimum rate, it was clear that tho award was being treated as a true minimum, and that therefore an increaso was not warranted.

After hearing evidcnco tendered by representatives of the employers, the Court reserved decision.

POSITION Ul<' MOTOR MECHANICS.

' When the motor mechanics' dispute was called, Mr. Bruce appeared for the union, while Mr. W. A. \V. Grenfell appeared for the'employers. Mr. S. J. Elston, on behalf of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, objected to an award' being made, his contention being that the motor mechanics should bo inehided in tho scope of the engineers' award.

Tho Court decidcd that tho hearing of the dispute should be deferred until alter evidence had been heard in Auckland in connection with tho engineers' dispute in that district. Tho point in question could be bettor settled then.