CANNOT MAKE AWARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 55, 2 September 1943, Page 6

CANNOT MAKE AWARD

Complete settlement of the canvas workers' dispute was arrived at in conciliation council proceedings, as was also the case with the saddlers', har-ness-makers', collar-makers', and bagmakers' dispute. In -both instances ithe assessors requested the Arbitration Court to embody the terms of settlement in an award. This, however, the Court has declined to do, the reason being given in the following memorandum: "The dispute was filed on April 14, 1943, a date subsequent to the coming into operation of the Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations, 1942; consequently the Court is> bound to comply with the requirements regulation 38. It may not make any variation in the minimum rates of remuneration at present applying to the industry, except such adjustments of anomalies as the. Court thinks fit, having regard the general purpose of the regulatibns.'Oi. I • Z-. ,<

The terms, of •"■: settlement, for example, proppsed •-■;■ that the rates for certain journeymen, be increased from 2s B£d an hour to 2s 9d, which was the Court's casual rate for skilled workers. An examination of the awards made in this industry since the Court's pronouncement of 1937. disclosed that the minimum rates for- journeymen had been consistently, lower than the Court's standard skilled ' rate, and the lower rates had on the last two occasions been settled by the parties themselves.- ... '-- , '..."

"In.view .of these facts/ states the memorandum, "we. are not-prepared to accept the contention. that the rates for journeymen, which:-at'present apply in the industry,. constitute anomalies which- the Court should adjust, having regard to the purpose of the Stabilisation •Regulations. Further, we are.not satisfied from the information and arguments, that have been submitted •to us ,that the .other adjustments to rates of wages agreed upon by the parties should be made. The application for the - making of an award in accordance with the terms of settlement is therefore declined, and the matter is referred back to the parties." - ' ' ■" ■ :