EMPLOYEES’ CLAIMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20067, 13 October 1939, Page 4

EMPLOYEES’ CLAIMS

POINTS OF AGREEMENT HEARING ADJOURNED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON,'this day. The Council of Conciliation in the printing and related trades Dominion dispute was resumed in Wellington yesterday and, following an agreement on several points, adjourned sine die. The employees put forward the following 10 points for discussion:—(l) Two weeks’ annual holiday on pay; (2) abolition of Class II; (3) adjustment of wages rates of semi-skilled, unskilled, and junior workers on the basis of the court’s pronouncement of September, 1937; (4) abolition of the 10-hour day; (5) linotype piece operators’ output to be calculated on the number of ensto the line; (6) a clause defining the work of stereotypers; (7) meal interval and period of work to be in accordance with the Factories Act, 1936; (8) wage scale for workers employed in stationery manufacturing —envelope machine adjusters and dye cutters; (9) claim for reduced hours of work for night workers; (10) alignment of female wages and hours.

The employers indicated they were prepared to discuss certain of the proposals.

Increase In Wages

Mr. W. E. Clarkson, agent, said that in respect of assistant machinists the employers were prepared to adopt the employees’ suggestion and bring the wage to £4 17s 6d in lieu of £4 1.55. Mr, Clarkson said the employers felt there was some merit in the suggestion put forward on behalf of general hands. At present, after three years’ experience, they received £4 10s. The employers proposed to meet the position by paying £4 10s after one year’s experience instead of after three years.

So far as work in manufacturing stationery establishments was concerned, Mr. Clarkson said the employers were prepared to pay envelope machine adjusters in charge of a machine ot machines after three years £5 7s 6d, the general hands’ clause to apply till then. On the question of the alignment of female wages, the employers felt that was a wage clause linked up with the general question of wfeges. Mr. Clarkson said that it would be

undesirable to interfere with it at present. Tire employers agreed that juniors in all departments over 16 years of age should be paid on the apprenticeship scale. The employers’ proposals on these points were agreed to by the rqen. After discussion the conceded the terminating rate of £2 19s for senior girls in place of £2 18s as at present.