ALLEGED BREACH OF AN AWARD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 25 September 1918, Page 8

ALLEGED BREACH OF AN AWARD

WAGES OF TEAROOM GIRLS. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. P. V. Frazer, S.M., , the Direct Importing Company (D.1.C.) wo charged with having committed two breaches of the Wellington Private Hotel and Restaurant Workers' award, in employing three female workers in the tearoom and paying them 255. per week each, instead of 325. 6d., also with failing to provide workers with a substantial meal. ' The facts were admitted, and the case turned on a legal point. Mr. A, W. Blair, who appeared for the D.I.C, contended that the workers were not general hands, and that they were substantially employed as waitresses. As regarded the second offence, coiin? sel said, there was no obligation on the part of the, employer to supply the meal because the girls chose not to remain to receive the meal. ' Mr. R. T. Bailer,; Inspector of Awards, contended that seeing that the (jirls were doing other work, that U kitchen duties, they were general hands, nnd as such they should receive the rate paid to general hands.. AVjtb respect tn the meal, the Arbitration Court had specified the hour for meals. Tho defendant could not say ,the employees would not wait for meals, because. ' they were never given .an opportunity. . . The Magistrate held that a. bmioh of the award had been committed in well case-. Judgment was given;for plaintiff for £•> in the-first case and iOs. in the second. . .