CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2990, 30 January 1917, Page 9

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

METALWORKERS' DISPUTE. The dispute between the Wellington motal workers' assistants and their emgloyerß came before tho Conciliation ourt yesterday morning. The employers attached were: William Cable and Co., W. Crabtrce and Sons, the M'Arthur Milliken' Structural Co., Ltd., Kaiwarra, J. Murphy and Sons, Neilson, Murray, and Frederic, J.. J. Niven and Co., the Patent Slip Co., Robertson and Co., Ross, Jory, and M'Whannel, Wallace, Johns, and Muir, and tho Wellington Structural Engineering Co. The statement of claim differs from tho award -under which the parties have been working, mainly as regards wages and overtime. Tho union claims a minimum rolo of Is. 6d. per hour. The wages of boys and youths to be: Under fifteen, years of age, 10s.; from fifteen to' sixteen, 155.; sixteen to seventeen, 205.; seventeen to eighteen, 255. ;■ eighteen to nineteen, 305.; nine* teen to twenty, 355.; and thereafter the minimum. The overtime rates demanded were: From 5 to 7 p.m., doublo ordinary rates;'from 7 to 10 p.m., one and a half ordinary rates; after 10 p.m., doublo ordinary rates. Any worker who has worked during She day and all night shall he paid double ordinary rates for work done on tho following day. A now clause was that any worker required to work in »ny compartment or place where the heat exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit shall bo paid double ordinary rates. Tho employers' counter-claim was based on the existing award.

Mr. Hagger, Conciliation Commissioner, heard the case, and there wero associated with him as assessors Messrs. William Crab tree, William Cable, and David Robertson, jun., for the employers, and Messrs. J. Ash, W. Darby, arid A. Murray for tho workers. Mr. J. MTfenzie appeared as agent for tho workers. After a sitting of nearly three hours the parties agreed on all points except in respect to wages. On this point also, it is considered that an agreement will be reached.