WORKERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 658, 9 May 1929, Page 7

WORKERS

t THERE is a message of paramount importance to every wage earner, in THE 1 j SUN every Saturday. The possibilities of the |l j manufacturing industries are demonstrated, ; with particular rel erence to the interests of the individual. Every worker should study this vital question. Authorised by the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association. Win for Doughmen An agreement has been made between the Master Bakers and the Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Union much on the lines of the old award, though a few minor improvements in conditions for the men are provided. Wages and hours are unaltered, with the isolated exception of doughmen, who are to receive a 2s 6d a week increase. Men Again Rebuffed Well; the milk roundsmen, in spite of the excellent case presented for them, and the obvious justification for the institution of a six-day week, have lost again. The new award, which has just been filed by the Court, follows the lines of the previous agreement, and cuts out religiously anything suggestive of concessions for the men. The seven-day week prevails, the wages remain at £4 6s, and the starting time is still 3 a.m. All this happens in spite of the fact that Wellington has had the six-day week for some time, and is operating upon it successfully. Mr. J. Purtell, the advocate for the men at the hearing, has some hard things to say about the decision. He is astounded in view of the fact that his statement proved in the Court that a rise of a farthing a quart on milk would have given an average of £2 Is Sd a man extra to the milk vendors, and that the men wished to absorb only 15s of this in the employment of a relief man on the ! seventh day on each round. He believes that if it were necessary to put up this price (but he in no way concedes that it is necessary) the people would have paid it cheerfully iin order to give the men a decent living wage. One company in fact put its price up recently by a halfpenny. Moreover, he declared that to keep persistently from the men the concession of a six-day week is an injustice, and he adds: “Although the j unions agreed at the economic conI ference upon the principle of arbitration. it must not be taken for granted that they will stand everything! ” A special meeting of the union is to be called to discuss the award. Mr. Monteith disagreed from the decision of the Court. and said: “I think a six-dav week is desirable. I do not think £4 6s adequate for a 1 seven-day week of 48 hours with a j three a.m. start.” . “Arbiter” is wondering if that is all ; lie said about it. Employer is Liable The Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Union is rounding up offenders against the ! award. At the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday the Auckland Bakers’ Union i proceeded against S. Craig, master ; baker, of Devonport. for failing to pay ! overtime to a baker named A. Mathieison. and also against Mathieson for i failing to claim overtime. Mathieson s I excuse was that he was afraid of losi in g his job, and Craig’s defence was ‘that Mathieson started early to suit ' his own convenience. i Another employee (A. Smith) gave ! evidence and stated that they started 1 work at 3 a.m. instead of 4 a.m. on five I days, and at 10 p.m. on Friday night. 1 so that they could get off early to play cricket and football. The magistrate, | Mr. F. K.. Hunt, in fining Craig £ 2