GASWORKS DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 95, 15 January 1918, Page 7

GASWORKS DISPUTE

COMPLETE SETTLEMENT REACHED

TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT

A successful conclusion to the gaeworks dispute was arrived at yesterday, when the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. \V. H. Hagger) was instrumental in formulating an agreement acceptable to both partios. The meeting, whioh wae held at the offices of the company at Mirainar, was presided over by tho Commissioner, and tho assessors were as follow:—For the Wellington Gas Company, Messrs. A. Dougall, T. Ingerton; and J. Ramsden; for tho union, .Messrs. T. Moss, W. Hannah, and J. Roberts. Mr. J. Harris acted as agent for the union. The principal provisions of the new agreement are as under :— "Wages,—Stokers, 13s. 9d. per shift; pipe jumpers and pitch pan men, 12s. 9d,;'fire cleaners, 12s. 3d.; shift of eight hours in each ense. War bonus of 6d. per shift in addition to wages. . Overtime.—Pitch pan men, pipe jumpers, and fire cleaners, if required to work moro than eight hours a day, time and a quarter for first two hours, ■ time and a half for second two hours, thereafter double time until the recognised time arrives for such -workers to- stnrt their next regular shift. Men employed in the retort house are allowed'2d. per. shift as clog money m addition to wages. - , , Holidays.—lf men are required to work Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Anniversary Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, and -King's' Birthdav, they shall, receive double pav. If not required to work- they shall receive tho ordinary day's pav. Annual Holidays.—Stokers, P'P« jumpers, and -pitch-pan men, twelve consecutive days per annum. If less than- one year's service, one day lor each month, or part of a month, on full pay. -Fire ciphers, seven com secutive days per annum., or three and a half days for each six months service -If'less than six months ttrvice; half a day for each month.or part-of a month. ■ . ' Termination of Engagement.—No less than fourteen'days' notice shall be given by cither side of their intention i to terminate.engagement. . Payment of Wages-All wages snail be paid weekly., in employers .lime where possible. Preference ' Clause.-The Court's usual preference clause was agreed to, with the addition of the following words at the end: "Or 12s. ,6d. per quarter.'- , ' ~ Breakdowa of .ho event of the conveyor breaking down, the stokers shall be paid time and a half rates for such time as the conveyor is out of action; provided, however,- the extra payment shall not be made for the draw during which .the breakdown takes place, but from the commencement of the first diw afterwards. -. . The operation of the award (or agreement) is from January 1, 1918, ■and it will continue in force for two At the-conclusion of the sitting both sides expressed pleasure at a satisfactory settlement being arrived ft, which, the union officials declared, lmd settled all thoir little differences. Both sides hoped to work amicably together. Mr :Hag"er was warmly eulogised tor his excellent work in connection with the dispute, and, as he is shortly leaving to take charge of tho Clinstchurcli district, those present joined in wishing the Commissioner a successful career in the south.