PRINTING-TRADE WAGES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 209, 20 September 1937, Page 3

PRINTING-TRADE WAGES

•Press Association.)

Offer by the Employers "WE ARE CLOSE TO AGREEMENT"

(By Telegrapk—

WELLINGTON, Sept. 17, When the h'earing in Conciliation Council of the printing trades dispute was adjourned on Friday afternoon till Saturday morning, the workers' assessors were still considering a furthei offer of the employers as follows: An increase of 2s 6d for adult male workj ers employed five dayS a week, an increase of 5s to adult male workers employed six days a week, an increase of 2s 6d to those in class two in the award employed six days a week, au allowance for night workers of 10 per cent. for all workers, including piece workers, all piece work to be as in the counter-proposals made by the employers. This offer was made conditional on the workers agreeing to the classification as in the old award and the difference in payment for clas* one and class two workers, the whole to operate as from the first working week, commencing September 27. "We have come very close to an agreement on the major issues," said the Commissioner, ' ' and I do not think we should fail to make a settlement." This morning the final claim made by the workers was for a weekly wage in class 1 of £5 6s 8d, with proportionate increases in class 2; and an adjustment of the wages for unskilled workers on the basis of 2s 3 d (equal to £4 10s weekly). They asked tkat tke method of computation for piece operators, and the night rate be referred to the Court. Tkoy also asked for a definition of stereotypers' work. The claims were considered by the employers, who made the following reply:— "We suggest that durixig the next few weeks the Court will give, by making awards, an indication of its policy regarding the relation between weekly wages and its rates for casuai employment. Wo offer to hold the employers' final proposals' open for acceptance until October 20. By that date, the workers' assessors will have had an opportunity to decide whether to accept our proposals or to take their case to the Court. The employers are prepared to submit to the Arbitration Court the question of cast-up and night rates for piece operators only. The questions of wages for general hands, and the definition of stereotypers ' work will be further considered, and, if necessary, referred to tho Court." This was finally agreed to by the workers' representatives and the necessary adjournment was made.