ARBITRATION COURT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 136, 4 March 1919, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT

PRINTING TRADES' DISPUTES TYPOGRAPHICAL AWARD AMENDED The Arbitration Court sat yesterday to deal with cases in the piinting and bookbinding trades. His Honour Mr. Justice Stringer presided, and with him wore Messrs. W. Scott (employers' representative) and J. A. M'Cullough (workers representative). ' In the case of the Now.Zealand Typographical Federation's application for an increase in tho war bonus, the parties in conference arrived at an agreement, mid the Court was asked to ratify this. The main points of tho amendment of the award provide for an increase of 7s. Gd. per week for all journeymen and a reduction of working hours from 4S to 45; the latter to operate as from January 1. 1920. A further agreement was arrived at in Court in respect of Saturday night editions, for which the workers are to bo paid 3s. Gd. per hour instead of 2s. Gd„ with the minimum of 75., instead of ss. The latter amondment was suggested by Mr. Piraifi. representing the employers. Mr. J. W. M'Dougall and Mr. C. H. Chapman appeared for the employees. At the conclusion of the proceedings Mr. Chapman said that some of the members of the union were dissatisfied with the wages secured, and a meeting of tho Wellington Typographical Union was bold on Saturday night, when between '40 and 50 members were present. .Tea members voiced their dissatisfaction, but as their duly accredited delegates had signed the agreement ihey decided to abido by it, pledging themselves to do all in their power during the next twelve months to obtain the higher rates asked for. Telegrams had also been received fmm unions in other places expressing dissatisfaction. It vas pointed out to the Court that Mr. Chapman was not making his statement on behalf of tho federation, but on behalf of some of the members who met on Saturday'night. ' His Honour 6aid the. 'Wellington meeting did rieht in accepting the acrcement entered into by the accredited delegates, otherwise confidence would be shattered. Tho Court agreed to amend the award in accordance with tho-agreement reached between the parties.

BOOKBINDERS' AND MACHINISTS' DEMANDS. The demand of the New Zealand Boolehinders and paper-rulers and cutters, ana the New Zealand letterpress and lithographic machinists, for increased wages and reduction in hours of employment, was considered hy the Court. Mr. B. Martin appeared for the unitfns. Mr. F. Pirani, who represented the employers, said that they had a conference with the ;epresentativesof the two unions, and it.wis agreed, in view of the agreement with the"Typog.raphi«il Federation, that the union should accept 7s. Gd. per week, besides the' war homts, the hours of work to ho reduced to 45 as from January I.' 1920. Mr. Pirani said ho offered to draw up an agreement to he signed ,tho next day, hut the delegates demurred, as they desired to leave for Auckland. He then undertook ,to havo .it ready for signature hy 10 a.m. . The delegates, however, did hot turn up, and did not have tho courtesy to send him an apology. Mr. Pirani added: "This is the first fimo that I have been discourteously treated by a union, secretary." , Mr. Martin said Mr.Pirani's statement was not altogether correct. Ho (Mr. Martin) -was under tho impression that the agreement need not be signed. Apart from this he contended that tho Court must judge the matter from the t standpoint of tho cost of living, on which tho application was based. Evidence in support of the ■workers' demands was ijiven bv John M'lnnaniey, of Auckland, Robert H. Hustler, of the Government Printing. Office, and William Simpson, letterpress'machinist. Mr. Pirani, in rddressing the Court, suggested that notice should not bo taken of amateur excursions into'the realms of the cost of living. The 7s. Gd. per week increase Was ngreed unon at a round-table, conference'by'six' business men. after they'had very carefully studied tho latest statistics. Those who vcfre present'at the conference wore quite satisfied with the increase'of 7e. Gd., realising thnt that sum covered the increase in the cost of living as shown bv tho Government Statistician. Tho reduction in the •working hours was voluntarily ngreed upon by the employers, and would come into effect as soon as tho men returned from the fr6nt. Mr. Martin claimed that on tho Government Statistician's finiircß the increase where wages were now £8 ss. should he 17s. 6d. and not 7s. Gd. The Court reserved its decision, and adjourned to Monday next.