CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19474, 8 May 1925, Page 4

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

FIRE BRIGADE DISPUTE. Mr W. 11. Hagger, Conciliation Commissioner, held a sitting of fho Council of Conciliation yesterday, and had brought before him a dispute between the Dunedin Fire Brigade Union and me Dunedin Fire Board. The union was .represented by Messrs D. Niven, J. Cock burn, and J. Dumb, Mr H. Kendall appearing its agent, and the Fire Board by Messrs J. Wilson. T. Chalmer, and \V. A. Scott. Tho secretary (Mr J. G. llannum) and Superintendent Napier also appeared. The two main points in dispute were the wages and the introduction of a new clause relating to tho employment of an auxiliary staff. The existing wages were as follows: —Firemen —probationers, £3 5s per week: third-class firemen, £3 10s; second-class firemen, £3 15s; first-class tiromon, £4; senior firemen, £4 2s 6d. In addition, motor driver? received 2s 6d a week extra. The rates asked for were— Probationers, £3 11s; third-class firemen, £3 16s; second-class firemen, £4 Is; fir.-t-class firemen, £4 8s; and senior firemen, £4 10s 6d. For motor drivers 5s a week was asked, and also an extra 2s 6d a week for those competent to do running repair work. The clause lelating to an auxiliary staff read: ‘‘An auxiliary staff may bo employed, the proportions to bo not more than one to every four of tho permanent staff in each station.” Mr Wilson said the position was that they desired tho present award to remain in operation for another two years without alteration. Mr Kendall said that that could not bo accepted. Mr Wilson said there was not use in arguing, because they had no intention of departing away irom tho present award.' The Commissioner said they were (hero for the purpose of conciliating, and. after hearing argument from the other side, the hoard's representatives might give way on small matters. [t should not He defni itely stated that nothing could bo done. Mr Wilson then «aid he would leave it at that for the present. The various points were then discussed, and tho following decisions were agreed on ;—The definition o’ a probationer was agreed to, wirh house allowance, and meal allowance for married men, as covered by the existing award; probationer* to receive £3 Vs; third-class firemen, £5 12s; second-class firemen, £3 17s; firstclass fi-cmen. £4 2s; and seniors, £4 4* 6d. 'The union agreed to withdraw the claim for extra pay to motor drivers, and to accent the terms of the existing award. The union also withdrev the danse relating to an auxiliary staff. The term of the award was fixed at two years, to come into operation at once.