BACON FACTORIES

Nelson Evening Mail, 27 September 1916, Page 2

BACON FACTORIES

(llniTF.n Preps Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept, 26. An interpretation of the award made on August 26th, 1915, governing wages and conditions of labour for Wellington bacon factory employees has 'been made by Mr Justice Stringer, on the. application of the Inspector of Awards, _ W ellir.gton. The interpretation was in regard to clause 2, which reads: '"The minimum wages tor workers shall be as follows: —Slaughtermen, cutters-up, and rollers, Is 4d per hour; men while workin freezing chambers, Is 3d per hour; tinsmiths. Is 3d per hour; all other workers Is 2d! per hour." The question to be decided \v a.s, Dees this clause apply to female workers employed in the industr--? Mr Justice Stringer ire giving his decision stated: "No special provision having made -with regard to female workers, tlicy clearly conn? within the general provisions of the award prescribing rates of wages of workers employed in the industry, and if females- -.'ire employed they must, therefore, bo paid according to such rates. It by reason of installation of .new machinery a ..proper field of labour for female workers has Iw.eii opened up, the proper course to adopt, would bo to apply for a. supplementary award making special provision for such workers."' Tho interpretation will lead to a claim* for the difference between wages paid'to women workers and the wages due under the award.