ARBITRATION COURT AWARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2209, 5 June 1908, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT AWARD.

GISBORNE AVATERSIDE AVORKERS. ' Attached to tho award of tho Arbitration Court in the Gisborno A\ratersidc Workers’ dispute is the following memorandum from Justice Sim: In this dispute tho principal question was as to tho wages to bo paid for work done in connection with the lightering find stevedoring of frozon meat. Tho Union demands on the subject were as follows: The rate of wages for handling frozen meat on board ships and lighters to be as follows—Sheep and lambs 6d per hundred, beef to be classed at 13 sheep to the bullock, pieces to bo classed at 8 to the sheep. Deck hands and men in charge of the Gisborno Sheepfarmers’ lighters working frozen meat to be paid at tho rate of Is 9d per hour right through. Deck hands and men in charge or Nelson Bros.’ lighters to remain as at present, being under conti’act, viz., 7s per lighter. ■ It was admitted that for some years tho Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Company had paid three rates for lightering, and that Nelson Bros, had paid these rates for lightering sheep and a smaller rate for lambs. The employers offered 4d per hundred for lightering sheep' and 3d per hundred for lightering lambs, and asked the rates for stevedoring mutton fixed by the previous award (Boo'k of Awards vol. V. p. 178) should bo continued, and made tho same for beef. The Court has fixed the rate for lightering sheep at 5d per hundred, and the rate for lambs at 3£d per hundred. These rates, according to figures put in evidence by the employers and not disputed by the Union will give the workers a wage of slightly over 3s per hour for tliia work. The rates for stevedoring have been made the same as ill the previous award. Preference of employment has been granted to members of the Union, but before this can become operative the Union must alter its rules as indicated in the award, and give notice in writing to the employers when this has been done. During the hearing of this dispute a question was raised as to the proper construction of clause 12 of the -Napier award (Book of Awards vol. A'lll., ]). 1041 )in connection with tho payment for work done between 5 and 6 p.m., and it seeim desirable to put on record the opinion then expressed by the Court. Under clause 12 a worker is entitled to receive a full hour for his meal if he desires, but is not bound to take a full hour. There is, therefore, nothing in the award to prevent a worker from taking, say, 15 to 20 minutes over his tea and agreeing with his employer to resume work at once at ordinary overtime rates. The provision for double ordinary time rates was intended to meet the case where an employer wishes to deprive the worker altogether of an opportunity of having his tea. If the--worker is willing to take less than an hour for his tea, and has that meal, then the provision as to double ordinary time does not apply, provided the worker consents to resume work before 6 p.m. at ordinary time rate.