ARBITRATION COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2492, 19 June 1915, Page 13

ARBITRATION COURT

a PRIVATE HOTELS' DISPUTE WAGES AND HOURS OF WORK The award of the Arbitration Court ill t'lio Wellington Private Hotels' dispute lias becu filed witli tho Clerk of Awards (Mr. G. S. Clark). Iu a memorandum attached to the award, the Court states that the principal questions submitted were: (a) As to the establishments to bo brought under the award as "private hotels"; (b) as to the minimum rate of wages, and (c) as to holidays. The memorandum adds that the socalled private hotels are really public boardinghouses, and carry on business in much the same way as ordinary hotels, differing from them only in that they are not licensed for' the sale of alcoholic liquors. Tho Court is of opinion therefore that as to their general manas;enienf) and tho conditions of workers they should be placed on the same footing as hotels. fteferring to wages, the memorandum states that the Court has fixed these at the same rates as those already provided for workers m similar capacities under /lia award dealing _ with licensed hotels. Regarding holidays, the Court mentions that it was dearly intended by tie Legislature that private hotels should be brought under the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act, 1908, and its amendments; but, owing to a defective definition in the Shops and Offices Act, 1910, t/liis intention has been, to a large extent, defeated. Tho Court has, therefore, remedied the defect as far as the establishments bound by ilhe award are concerned by incorporating the provisions of these Acts in the award and applying them to Buch establishments. The Court has also availed itself of the provisions of SeoWon 8 of the Shops mid Offices Amotidment Act, 1913, and granted all workers covered by the award one whole day's holiday in each woek, in lieu of the nalf-lioliday or whole holiday provided by the Act, thus placing the workers on the same footing in this respcct as workers in hotels.The memorandum adds: "It appeared from the evidence that iu somq of the establishments covered by this award the workers obtained meals of a very unsubstantial character. The Court has therefore provided that workers in all establishments (other than private hotels which have to provide worker,s with their board and' lodging or their equivalent) shall bo provided with substantial meals_ or the means to procure them be paid in addition to the wages fixed." The sohedule relating to private hotels provides for wages for kitchen and sonllery hands ranging from £4 10s. to £2 (for males), while females are to bo paid three-quarters of these rates. Tho wages for dining-room hands are::— Waiters, £1.. 12s. Gd.; waitresses, £1 2s. _ 6d.; housemaids, 17s. fid.; house-maid-waitresses, 205.; pantry, malea 275. 6d., females 205.; porters, day £1 7s. 6d., night) £1 10s.; general hands (not lift-boys and buttons), £1 7s. 6d.; billiard markers, £1 10s.; laundresses, £1 ss. Whore board is not provided, .an extra 16s. a week is to be paid, and where lodging is not provided 7a. (3d. a week extra. As regards oyster saloons, restaurants, tea and luncheon rooms, and refreshment rooms, the wages vary from £3 15s. to 17s. Gd., acording to the grade of the worker. Two substantial meals a working day are to be supplied. Clauses are also inserted dealing with general conditions, and providing that the hours of work shall bo the same as those set down by the Shops and Offices Act, 190S, and its amendments. In lion of the half-holiday or whole day provided by the Aot, one full day's holiday shall be allowed. The term of the award is for two years.