FEMALE CLOTHING WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 205, 25 May 1921, Page 9

FEMALE CLOTHING WORKERS

CLAIM FOR AN AWARD. Tho Conciliation Council will deal today with a. dispute concerning female workers in tho clothing trade. The women interested are those engaged in manufacturing by hand ehirts, blouses, and ladies’ underclothing; and also short machinists, ladies’ costume machinists, and buttonholo machinists.

The union is asking that the hours of work.be fixed at 44 per week, and that each worker shall serve a twoyears’ apprenticeship, as well as a term of two years as an improver. Weekly rates of wages are claimed as follow —,- First six months, 15s'; second six months,' 17s. *6d.; third six months, £1; fourth six months, £1 2s. 6d.; fifth six months, '£l 55.; sixth six months, £1 7s. 6d.; seventh six months, £1 155.; and eighth six months; £2. The union wants the minimum rate for journeywomen to bo £2 10s. per week, and proposes that all workers shall receive a bonus of ss. weekly. Overtime is demanded at the rate of time and a half for the first three hours and double time thereafter. It is suggested that if any t .jiward is made it should apply to. the whole of the Wellington industrial district. The claims contain the usual preference and underrate workers* clauses, as well as a special provision governing deduction foretime lost.