SADDLERS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 60, 4 December 1920, Page 10

SADDLERS' DISPUTE

BEFORE TUB CONCILIATION COUNCIL. The Conciliation Qouncil was engaged throughout yesterday in (hearing the application of tho Wellington Saddlers' Union of Workers for a new industrial award. The Commissioner (Mr. W. Newton) presided, and the assessors were:— For''the union, Messrs. A. Gallon, H. Heap, and H, Dyson; for the employers, Messrs. F. J. Evans, W, A. Wiggins, and F. G. Iteid.

The demands of tho union were for a 48-hour week, and tlio following rates.of pay:—2s. 6d. per hour for journeymen; Is. 6d. per hour for journeywomen machinists; and tho payment of overtime at tlio rate of time and a half for tho first throe hours, and thereafter ot the rate of double time. The wages asked for apprentices rhnged from 20s. per week during the first year to GOs. per week in the fifth year, and thereafter 70s. weekly. • The employers filed counter-proposals that the expiring award bo renewed for a further period, subject to any adjustment in wages decided upon by tho Conciliation Council or tho Arbitration Court.

An agreement was reached betweon the parties with regard to nearly all I'lio items in dispute, but the matter cannot bo completed until the assessors in the other centres concerned—Palmerston North, Wanganui, and Napier—have been consulted. The Commissioner will visit those places'next week.