OPEN CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 12 July 1917, Page 5

OPEN CONFERENCE.

TAIHAPE SHEEPOWNERS AND SHEARERS. NEW INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENT SIGNED. £ * Taihape District and Taihape Branch Shearers and ShedJiands' Union {A.P.U.) me t in conference in O'Connor's Hall, Taihape, on May 11, to discuss a new industrial agreement. The sheepowners represented were Messrs W. Dixon, E. Spooner, F. Mickleson, J. Gilchrist, T. O'Connor, P. Pedersen, J. McCraeken, and R. CleaTer, and the Union representatives were Messrs E. Hunter, J. A. Johnston, Joe Smith, Jas. Smith, RfHamilton, J. Steadman, A. Quilter, P. Thurston, and E. Smyth. On the motion by Mr. J. A. Johnston, seconded By Mr. Gilchrist, Mr. E. Hunter was unanimously appointed chairman, "and it was resolved that the Conference he an open one. The chairman stated that the Union had brought the conference together •with, the hopes of settling the trouble •which threatened the industry. If the conference could draw up a workable industrial agreement for the coming shearing season in the Taihape district not only would the local interests be safeguarded but such a lead given would be hailed with satisfaction and relief throughout the country. He called up on the conference to make an honest endeavour to come to a settlement upon which such vital interests and issues : were involved, and if Taihape workers and employers could agree a great national service would be rendered in pointing the way over the trouble which threatened the ■whole country.

The chairman then presented the "Union demands and the following are the provisions of the new industrial agreement: — SHEARING BATES. 1. The period of this agreement shall he for two years, commencing September 1, 1917. 2. The hours of shearing shall be from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with two half-hour smokos, and one hour for dinner, and shearing shall cease at 12 noon on Saturdays. 3. (a) The rate for shearing by hand for machines shall be riot less than 30/ per 100, with Tations. (b) The rate for shearing stud sheep double-fleeced sheep, rams or ram stags shall be double ordinary rates. (c) All sheep to be free from dags before being brought into the sheds. 4. On demand the meployer shall

pay' the shearer, or to his order, any '"sum not-exceeding 75 per cent., of the 'net amount then due to him. Such money may be paid by cheque or order, and if such cheque or order be not drawn upon a local bank exchange shall be added. 5. All sheep shorn shall be paid for in full, on the termination of the shear-

er's employment. 6. If the shearer's employment shall have terminated before the completion of shearing (through sickness, accidents, or any other unforeseen eauses) he shall be paid in full for all sheep shorn. - ",'" 1 -*"**. '£. " 1. That a sufficient supply of good wholesome food, properly cooked, be provided by the employer, including vegetables in season, potatoes, pickles, and sauce, one pound of jam and one pound of butter per man per week. 8. That a ballot may be taken in the usual manner where there is any doubt as to the sheep being shorn being wet. That any shearer must not be compelled to shear a sheep which he himself considers in bis opinion may injure his health through the sheep being wet," nothwithstanding that he may be in the minority in the ballot 9. No shearer shall bring a sheep out of the catching 'pen after the bell goes

to cease work. 10. No shearer shall kick or ill-treat any 'sheep. When a sheep is seriously injured, the shearer shall report the matter to the person in charge of the shed.

"1. No.shearer shall be compelled to shear fcny 'sheep suffering Rrom objnorious..diseases.

12. The employer shall find, free of co?t, grazing for one horse for eaeh shearer.

13. The employer shall find, free o>f cost, one grindstone, for every six or fraction of six shearers employed. 14. .Shearers to be supplied with combs and cutters by the employer at cost price. One comb and four cutters to be supplied to the shearer free of cost for every 1000 sheep shorn; where hand shears are used, three "pairs per 1000 sheep shorn or pro rata.

15. All fares to and from the nearest railway station or from shed to shed to.be paid by the employer. Where shearers provide their own locomotion, , equivalent tothe fare shall be paid. 16. No shall bring any intoxicating liquMfcn to the station. -,' 17 That all ees re engagements

ade through registry offices shall be paid by tlje ettwloyer. ' 18. That'ijlwhe event of a breakdown, of machinery or lost time through sheep not being available, the shearers

shall be compensated at the rate of 2s (id an hour.

19. That it be compulsory for an expert to be provided where more than six shearers are employed; and no man be permitted to occupy the dual position of shearer and expert, except where six or less shearers are employed. That where a shearer is employed as expert, his first duty shall be the welfare of the men he is in charge of, and he shall receive not less than 10s per day in addition to his shearing rate.

20. That in the event of sickness breaking out on the station, an official of the Board of Health be asked to.report, all expenses to be paid by the employer. That in the event of a shearer taking ill while employed at a station, or meeting with an accident while employed on a station, he be conveyed by suitable means to the nearest hospitals at the expense of the employer. That a proper medical chest be provided by the employer fbr the use use of members taking ill while at a shed. ,

21. That a spare machine be for every four or fraction of four shearers employed. 22. That preference be given to unionists.

23. If any question shall arise as to any matter not provided by this agreement, such question shall be settled by agreement between the particular employer concerned and the local representative of the union appointed for this purpose and in default of any such agreement, the question shall be determined by the Stipendiary Magistrate of the district in which same has arisen. Pending the settlement of any such question work sliall go on as usual and the settlement or decision may be made to operate restrospeetively. 24. That a clock in good going order be placed in a conspicuous place in the shed.

25. That deposit slips be accepted in lieu of monetary deposits. 26. That the dining room be lighted till 9 p.m.

27. That a copper, cooking utensils, bath, wash bowls, and mattresses shall be provided at each station for the use of employees. 28. That the shed tallies be posted daily on a board provided for that purpose by the employer. 29. That a single pen be allotted to each shearer.

30. That no shearing be permitted on Sundays or Christmas Day. SHEARING-SHED HANDS. 1. The following shall be the minimum rates of pay for the workers herein specified:— (a) The rate of pay for shed hands shall be £3 per week and found, irrespective of age or sex. (b) The rate for wool-pressing shall be not less than £4 per week, 2s per bale, or 9d per cwt. (c) Cooks shall receive £4 per week for 20 men or under, £5 per week for between 20 and 30 men, and for over 30 men £6 per week and found in each case, Cook's assistants shall be provided where there are 20 men or over and such assistant shall be paid not. less than £3 per week and found. (d) Experts—That experts shall be paid £5 per week up to 12 shearers and £6 per week for oyer 12 shearers, with fruvelliug expenses both ways. "*'** 2. On demand the employer shall pay to any shed hand, cook, presser, or other employee, or to his order, any sum not exceeding 75 per cent, of amount due to him. Such money may be paid by cheque or by order, and if such cheque or order be not drawn upon a local bank exchange shall be added.

3. If the shed hand's employment shall have terminated before the completion of shearing, he shall be paid in full for all work done.

4. That a sufficient supply of good wholesome food, properly cooked, be provided by the employer, including vegetables in season, potatoes, pickles, and sauce, and one pound of jam and not less than one pound of butter per man per week.

5. The employer shall find free grazing, if required, for one horse for each shed hand.

6. If any question shall arise as to any matter not provided for by this agreement such question be settled by agreement between the particular employer concerned and the local representative of the Union appointed for the purpose, and in default of any such agreement the question shall be determined by the Stipendiary Magistrate of the district in which the same has arisen. Pending the settlement of any such question, work shall go on af| usual, and the settlement or decision may be made to operate retrospectively

7. That in the event of sickness breaking out at the station, an official of the Boa'rd of Health be asked to report, at the expense of the employer. That in the event of a member taking ill or meeting with an accident while employed at the station, he shall be conveyed by suitable means to the nearest hospital at the expense of the employer. That a proper medical chest be provided by the employer for the use of any member taking ill while employed at the shed.

8. If the shed hand's employment shall have terminated before the com-

pletion of shearing, through sickness, accidents, or any other unforeseen causes, shall be paid in full for all time worked. 9. All fares to and from the nearest railway station or from shed tp shed be paid by the employer. Where shed hands, pTessers, cooks or other employees provide their own locomotion money equivalent to the fare shall be paid. 10. That all fees re engagement made through registry offices be paid bj T the employer. 11. That preference be given to Unionists.

12. That a clock in good going order be placed in a conspicuous place in the shed.

13. That the dining-room be lighted till 9 p.m.

Above agreement duly signed as under arrived at by Open Conference, O'Connor's Hall Taihape, July 11th, 1917.

Signed: Union Representatives, E. Hunter (chairman of Conference); J. Steadman.

Signed: Sheepowners, J. McCrackcn, Richard Cleaver, P. Pedersen, T. J. 0 'Connor.

After the signing of the agreement the chairman said that the purpose of the Conference had been achieved in so far as a workable agreement had been decided upon and that the district would ultimately agree that the best Efficiency Board yet established especially in the wool industry was inaugurated when the conference was called together. On the motion by Mr. O'Connor seconded by Mr. Joe Smith a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. E. Hunter, was carried with acclamation. This closed a successful conference.