SOFT GOODS EMPLOYEES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 45, 17 November 1919, Page 5

SOFT GOODS EMPLOYEES

*-^— — IMPORTANT AMENDMENT TO ■ AWARD. Br Telegraph—Preis • ssoelatlon. Auckland. November 15. Tho Arbitration Court has filed important amendments to the Auckland (eightmile radius) Soft Goods ' Employers' award. In a memorandum the Court says that,. following an application by the workers for a 25 per cent. rise, it ordered a conference, asfta result of which proposals were kid before it by a majority. It adopted the employers' proposals, which put Auckland workers on substantially the same position as those elsewhere. The memorandum continues: "In the present Auckland award the term of service, of the employee before becoming entitled to the highest minimum wage is fixed at six years, and tho Court did not feel at liberty iii an application such as the present to curtail tho period to five years, as it had done in other districts. This is a question which can only be properly determined on an application for a new award. The main difference in the rates fixed by tho above award and tho rates fixed in other districts is in tho increase made for tho fourth year of service. _It has been represented to us that the'increase made in othor districts, viz., from 355. to third year, to 555. for fourth year, is too great, and that the effect has been,, and will hereafter bo, to tho detriment of some workers whose services may not be worth the increased rate, and who may consequently lose their situations. "We should regret if awards of the Court should operate in this way in the case of any workers who had spent threo years' service in tho trade.' and shall be glad of opportunity to reconsider the question upon further evidence being provided before the Court." The amendment 'operates from November 21.