BRICK-MAKING INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 169, 13 April 1921, Page 11

BRICK-MAKING INDUSTRY

TERMS OF AWARD AGREED UPON.

After a most amicable discussion of demands anil counterproposals, the employers and employees in the brick, clay, and pottery industry of Wellington yesterday arrived at an agreement concerning the conditions to be embodied in an award for the workers. The negotiations took place in the Conciliation Council. undeir the presidency of Mr. W. Newton (Commissioner), who, at the conclusion of the day’seitting, was warmly complimented by both sides on the way in .which ho had discharged his duties. Following are the principal provisions of the new agreement:—-"The week’s work shall not exceed 46} hours except in the cose of burners, whose weekly hours shall not exceed 84. The minimum rates of wages for adult workers shall be: Flangers, moulders, and finishing burners. 2s. Id. ptr hour; stickers, 25.; pipe setters. Is. 10d.; brick setters, Is. 9d.; drawers of patent kilns, Is. 9d.; burners of patent kilns, Is. 5d.; night, burners, Is. 6d.; powder men, Is. B}d.; all other workers, Is. 7d.; a bonus of 3RI. per hour to be paid in addition to the rates prescribed. Youths’ wages: From 16 to 17 years of Age, £1 10s.; 17 to 18, £2; 18'to 19, .£2 55.; 19 to 20, J 23. Overtime shall be paid for at the rate of time and a half for the first three hours, and double time thereafter, provided that all overtime worked in connection with necessary repairs to plant and machinery shall )>e paid for at tho rate of time and a half. Each day shall stand by itself in the reckoning of overtime. No extra rates shall bo paid to burners for necessary attendance. in burning on Sundays and holidays. The following shall be the recognised holidays: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, January 2, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the birthday of the reigning Sovereign, and Labour Day. When work is required to be performed on any of the above speuified holidays, it shall be paid for at double time rates. If work is done by piecework, the rates shall be such as will enable a. competent worker of average ability to earn at least ten per cent, more than the minimum rate provided by this award for the particular class to which the worker belongs.

“The operation, of the award shall ba liimted to employers carrying on business within a radius of twenty miles from tlie Chief Post Office in tho city of Wellington. The award shall coma into operation on April 15, and shall remain in force till April 14, 1923.’’ Mr. J. M. Campbell appeared as agent for tho union. The assessors were: For tho union, Messrs, J. Nolan, B. King, and F. Tolley; for the employers, Messrs. A. Fletcher, A. Bognuda, and R. Murphy.