SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 158, 29 July 1909, Page 1

SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE

THE WAITARA CASE. AWARD OF THK ARBITRATION COURT. The award of s the Arbitration Court in the dispute between the Auckland Slaughtermen's Union (Waitara branch) and Messrs. Borthwick and Sons has just been filed with the Clerk of Awards. The award comes into force on the 2nd August, 1909, and remains in force for two years. Clause 1 provides for an eight hours' day between 6 a.m. and li p.m. If required to work before 0 a.m. a slaughterman is allowed sixpence per hour extra, in addition to his piece-work rate. One hour's intermission is allowed for meals. Rates of pay for piece-workers, shall be in accordance with the following scale:—(a) Slaughtermen: For freezing sheep and lambs, £1 3s per hundred; for leg-of-mutton sheep, £1 per hundred; for potters, 18s per hundred; for rams other than ram lambs, id each; for cattle, 2s each; for calves, la each;' for pigs. Is ea«h. (b) Notwithstanding anytliing herein contained, the parties to this award may agree in 'writing that cattle may be killed at the rate heretofore' paid by the employer, viz., Is 8d per head, the employer providing at its own expense workers to assist the slaughtermen in their work.

Slaughtermen's work defined.—The award fully defines the nature of the work in killing and dressing. Compensation for damage.—For all damage done to hides, skins or cases by a worker through carelessness on his part compensation may be deducted from the wages due to such worker according to the following scale:—For each hide, Is; for each skin, 6d; for each carcase, 6d.

Waiting time.—When slaughtermen are required to wait for work more than >ls minutes, they shall be paid at the rate of 2s per hour while so waiting provided such waiting is caused by default of the employer. "Smoke-oh."—Ten minutes to be allowed morning and afternoon, the time to be fixed mutually for each works. Tools: how provided.—The employer shall provide every slaughterhouse with a grind-stone, choppers, saws, wipers, and all necessary tools and keep the saws legularly sharpened. The employees shall provide their own knives and steels. Each slaughterman shall be provided with a hook and a suitable bucket.

Mutton pens.—Xo more than one man Ehall work from one mutton pen door, which door shall be not less than four feet wide in the clear. The pens shall be filled and refilled as required by the slaughtermen, who shall not yard or draft stock.

Wages for other than piece-workers. —The minimum wages for other than piece-workers shall be as follow:—Gut hands, 83 per day; boys and youths (who may be employed at the discretion of the employer), between the ages of H and 15, 12s per week; 15 and 16, los per week; 10 and 17. 18s; 17 and IS, £1 Is; 18 and 10. £1 as; 1!) and 20, £1 10s ;20 and 21, £1 los ,pcr week. Gut hand probationers. —Gut hands may be allowed to learn on the boards, provided they leg for slaughtermen equally and in rotation, but shall not le allowed to the hindrance of pieceworking slaughtermen. They shall have the right of probation according to the years they have served on the gut board, and must be members of the Slaughtermen's Union before learning. Overtime and holidays.—(a) All time worked beyond the hours specified in clause 1 hereof shall be considered overtime, and shall be paid at the rate of time and a-quarter.; (b) For' time worked on Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday double time shall be paid; for time worked on Boxing Day, Xew Year's Day, Easter Monday, Prince of Wales' Birthday, birthday of the reigning Sovereign, and Waitara Regatta Day, time and a-hulf shall be paid. Payment of wages.—Wiiges shall he paid fortnightly. Two days' "lie-time" shall be allowed. Provided that if any worker leaves his employment with his employer's consent or is dismissed by his employer, his wages shall be paid immediately following such leave or dismissal.

Control of factory.—Tlic employer shall have the fullest'right (subject'to ihe special provisions of this award) to make such rules and regulations for the necessary and proper management of its works as it may deem expedient. Dressing-room, etc.—For sanitary purposes the employer shall provide a dressing-room and lavatories if required at each of the slaughtering works. Time hook and clock.—The employer shall keep a time and wages hook, showing the time worked by and the wages jaid to all employees at the works, and where three or more slaughtermen are employed the employer ehall also place a clock in such works. First aids.—The employer shall provide and keep on the premises where slaughtering is carried On a sufficient stock of the following first aid appliances for the use of its employees, namely, needles, silk, silver wire,"cotton wool, bandages and antiseptics. Clause 17 contains the Court usual under-rate workers' c lause.

Clause 18 provides for preference to unionists.