COACHBUILDERS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 153, 24 March 1920, Page 7

COACHBUILDERS' DISPUTE

BATES -OF PAY UNSETTLED.

A -sitting of the Conciliation Council was held yesterday,-when-the Wellington coachbuildc-rs' dispute came up for hearing. The assessors were: Messrs. A, J. Block, T. A. Munt.andE. H. Taylor (for the employers); and Messrs. C. Carter, C. Burnett, and E. A. Toomntt (for tho employees). Mr. W. Newton (Conciliation Commissioner) pres'ded. The Commissioner said that nt the hearing of a similar dispute in AuckUwl ten days ago, tho representatives of both parties decided that what was agreed to. there should form the basis of a Dominion Award. The only matter in <it«pule- 'was rates of wa?es.

Mr. Toomatt asked ■vheth.w tho employers could mako any offer. ■Mr. Muntsaid that they could not oF-»r any more than was offered n.t Auckland,

Mr. Toomatfc: We cannot accept I hat. "Mr. Black: We.are tied-to th* AuaY. land offer.

Mr. Toomatt: We are in the same poaiifion. How is it that the plumbers can go; to the' council and get a good offer of 2s.'3d. an hour? Arc we not as mod tradesmen as the plumbers? Mr. Black: The-'plumbers have tn p.-ss an examination which assures o standard of efficiency, and wo hav .nit r> ( that with coach workers.

•Mr. Toomatt: Ton have the remedy for dealing with an unsatisfactory man." Von can sack him. r

Mr. Black: What wo ore nlTp,r!ne is Hie same .as the ruling rale in oljuer trades.

Mr. Toomatt considered that tho employers' offer was unfair.

In reply, Mr. Black, said tint yvbrt was offered amounted .In CO w msai. over pre-war. rates, ' • Mr. Toomatt: But tho cost of living 'has risen over Iflfl per cent.

Mr. Black said that the off-.- of tho employers was based on ,th? Oflv.'-nuncnt Statistician's figures rektiny to tlw -etui of living.

Mr. Toomatt: .You can't .go by him. Mr. .Carter .said that Judt'e Sinurer in his report stated that /tlie '*M >-f living had risen over 11X1 .per cent. Mr. Toomatt .said that he was n .returned soldier who had .served at the front.for four years, and the onlv dif. ference in h's wages sine" returning '.6 work was an increase of £\ per wp.-k. Mr. Black said Hint the .increase er*'wed during the war was 33 ner ,r<»nt.

Mr. Toomatt drew attention to ftp .prices of .tools, clothing, and board. w , considered that.the offer of the wnnlnjWF was not .sufficient to cover the inv'wrod cost of living. It would h" Wfer '» go to tlie Court. As the parties could ,7iot agree, if was decided to submit the ouestion of i*n* to the Arbitration Court.

The exemption, of lowl bodies n.nd trarmvnv concerns .was mentioned. W it wa- ..pointed out .Hint they could tn the Court for =ueh exemnfio'i.