DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 3 May 1907, Page 4

DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

COUNTER PROPOSALS OF THE WELLINGTON EMPLOYERS.

The second conference between representatives of th<» newly-organised Domestic Workers' Union and the committee -of employers failed to come to an agreement on the hours and holidays. The point urged by the union's delegates was that the main reason for the existence of the union was to obtain an industrial award fixing the hours of la hour. The demands of the union were for a fiß-hour week, a weekly half-holiday on Thursdays from 2 p.m., work to cease at 2 p.m. on Sundays (with certain provisions), and eight holidays. The employers have put forward ihe following "counter-proposals asi a suggested basis of agreement:— Sixty-eight hours to be a working wee!: Tlie methods and times of work to be allotted by the employers. Eacli domestic to have three half-hours for meals per diem, and an hour to herself every afternoon. One half-dav (or iis equivalent) to be granted every week, every Alternate Sunday afternoon, and one late night per week. Seven holidays to be given per annum without deduction from wages, a suitable proportion of 'these to be statutory holidays. No inspector shall enter a house except after specific complaint from a worker, and he must bear an order from ':

Magistrate. Last Tuesday's conference having failed, it seems now as if the next meeting between the two parties wil! take place either before the Conciliation Board of the Arbitration Court.