CARPENTERS’ WAGES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 146, 16 March 1921, Page 4

CARPENTERS’ WAGES

MEN RECEIVING 3/- AN HOUK THE GUILD PROPOSAL A few weeks ago, when the Wellington Master Builders and Contractors’ Association put into effect a decision thafi not more than 2s. 9d. per hour should be paid to carpenters in the employ of its members, about 70 men, who had been in receipt of 3s. an hour, at once left: their jobs. The secretary of the Wellington branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners (Mr. F. Singleton) stated to a Dominion reporter yesterday that every one of these men was now in employment! and was receiving not less than 3s. per hour, in some cases more. Some of the men had gone to the country, but the majority of them were working in and around the Wellington district. It is stated that the members of the Master Builders and Contractors’ Association are adhering strictly to their decision, and that no man employed by them is receiving more than 2s. 9d. The Wellington branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Join, ers intends to pursue the idea of establishing a building guild, and, if possible, eliminate private contracting altogether. It is claimed that the guild will be able to erect houses much cheaper than is possible under present conditions by reason of the fact that there will be practically nothing in the way of overhead charges. The general outline of a guild scheme has already been prepared, but certain details have to be adjusted before it can be launched.

At a meeting of the Master Builders Association last evening it was stated that a number of contractors were getting more men than they require at 2s. 9d. per hour, the maximum wage agreed upon bv the federation. One or two firms were not able to fill their requirement'. It was decided to take this matter in hand and bring it before the union, and also before members in the hope of meeting the requirements of the firms in question.