CLOTHING TRADE EMPLOYEES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2759, 1 May 1916, Page 9

CLOTHING TRADE EMPLOYEES

A NEW AGREEMENT. As the result of a joint conference between delegates from the federations of manufacturers and workers engaged in tlio wholesale clothing trade, an agreement lias been arrived at lor the payment of a war bonus of 7-J per cent, ' The conference was held 011 Friday, Mr. 1?. Slater acting as chairman, llr. W. Pryor was tlio chief representative of tlio employers and the lion. J. T. Paul (President of the Workers' Federation) was tho chief delegate from the workers. Numerous ot'lier representative employers and workers were present. Conference sat for several hours, and an agreement was not reached until lato in the evening. Proposals and counterproposals wero put forward at various stages, and ultimately a committee of live was chosen from each side, and this committee, after lengthy consideration of the points of difference, made a unanimous recommendation which was finally endorsed by both parties. Tho terms of tho agreement are that tho existing award is to bo renewed for three years with tho following additional clause"Writ Bonus: (a)' So long as the British Empire reniauis in a state of war with Germany and Austria, or either .of them, nnd for three months after the declaration of peace, thore shall be paid a war bonus of;7J per cent, to improvers and journeymen on their weekly wages up to and including those who earn up to 355. per week without overtime, to fourth and fifth year apprentices, and journeymen up to and including those wno_ earn £3 10s. per week without overtime; (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing clause, the. said war bonus may at any time during the currenoy or tho war he continued either wholly or partially, or bo increased or terminated, as the Court, 0:1 the application,of any party to the award, or of its own motion, may doterm inc."

The now agreement will coma into force on May 1. The tprms agreed upon will be placed before the Arbitration Court for ratification at the earliest possible date. '

The present minimum rates in the trade are: Pressers, £2 155.; improvers, 155.; journey women, £1 7s. 6d,; examiners,. £2 12s. Gd.: cutters, £2 15s. All these workers will be benefited, except such women as receive more than 3us., and others in receipt of more than £3 10s.