BONUS OR WAGES?

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 125, 24 February 1928, Page 11

BONUS OR WAGES?

“A GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT” DISPUTE OVER 2/- A WEEK Mr. W. Bromley, secretary of the Milk Depot Employees’ Union, appeared before the Milk Committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon to air a grievance. It appeared that when the 'roundsmen started work at 3 a.m., they were given a bonus of 6s. a week on top of their wages, but as that hour was considered too late to start, an arrangement was arrived at with the men to commence at 2 a.m., for which they were to receive another 2s. per week bonus. Mr. Bromley stated that sitting in the Conciliation Council, he had endeavoured to have that 2s. included in the award, but failing that a "gentleman’s agreement” was made to the effect that no matter how much legisla lion interfered with conditions, the 2s. would count as wages, and the Commissioner (Mr. Hally) had made a note in his minutes to that effect. Later 1 arliament discussed the matter, and laid down that the men should start at 3 a.m., whereupon the Milk Committee reduced the wages by 2s. a week. Mr. Bromley’s 0001001100 was that there was a “gentleman’s agreement” respecting the 2s. bonus, becoming part of the wage, which the committee could not break. Councillor Luckie said that the extra money was paid conditionally on the men commencing an hour earlier. They surely were not asking the committee to pay something for nqthing. Mr. Bromley said the bonus was included in the award in Auckland, and should have been in Wellington. Councillor H. A. Huggins said that if this agreement had been made, they should have a copy of the minute hearing on the point, made by the Commissioner.

The chairman (Councillor W. H. Bennett) said that his understanding from Mr. Herron and Mr. Cole was that the extra money was to be paid conditionally upon an hour’s earlier start, and when they could not get that early start, through no fault of the men. the bonus would cease. Councillor B. G. H. Burn said he thought the committee should see the Commissioner’s note before deciding. The chairman said that whatever happened, he would give no sort of undertaking until Mr. Herron returned.