TIMBER INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1922, Page 2

TIMBER INDUSTRY

THE NEW AWARD

The new award for Westland timber workers is dated March 25, 1922, and is to remain in force for one year from April 10, 1922, The condition in tine old award providing that no worker should have his wages reduced so long as he remains in his present employment is qualified by the words: “. . . • except in accordance with any general ordered by .the Court in pursuance of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitrfl-* lion Amendment Act, 1921-1922.” The rates of wages remain as in the old award, with the addition of a few occupations formerly omitted. The old overtime clause is amended by making the overtime for timber-loading payable at a flat rate of 2s 3d per hour, instead of Is 10id as formerly. The preference clause now contains a provision that if an employer engages a worker who is not a member of the Union the employer shall notify the Union delegate at his mill Within three , days: , The clause dealing with hours Of work provides, as agreed by the Conciliation Council, that the ordinary wording time shall not exceed 8 hours in any one day, unless by mutual agreement between the workers, the Union executive and the employer. A new clause dealing with-travelling time.reads as follows: —Where men are engaged to perform work over one mile from the mill, then such men shall travel one way in the employer’s time, except in cases where the employer provides a means of conveyance for the men free of charge, or where a bush camp is provided for the men by the employer. A new clause deals with contracts and provides that any contract work coming nothin the scope of the Award shall contain a provision that the contractor shall be bound by the terms of the Award.

An important provision is the new clause dealing with the payment of wages, which reads as follows: —(a) All wages shall be paid in cash twice monthly. The first payment shall be for a period of two weeks, and the second payment shall be for the remainder of the calendar month. Three days only shall be allowed to an employer to make up paysheets arid pay out-wages after the expiration of each

period. '• (b) If a majority (if the wbrkefs Jit fitly mill request in writing that wages be [uiid at other intervals than as provided in Sub-clause (a) hereof the employer ’may act in accordance with such request, ,

(e) Where tile employment is terminated, the worker shall be paid all wages due at the expiration of the lio* lice as provided in clause 10 hereof, inch payment may be made by cheque. id) A worker may by writing request lluit his wages may be paid otherwise than in cash, or elsewhere than at the mill, or to any person named by him, and until withdrawn by notice in writing such request may be acted upon . by t. c employer and worker. y-i; ■ The question of holidays, termination* of employment, house rent, and .duties to remain as in the old award. >■ The-present bonus of 2s 2d per day is u, bo paid unless and until the Court shall otherwise order. o