GROCERS' ASSISTANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1920, Page 5

GROCERS' ASSISTANTS.

APPLICATION FOR NEW AWARD A fully representative meeting of the Taranaki Grocers' Assistants' Union was held in the Trades' Hall last night, when the result of the recent conference with the master grocers was made known to the Union. Mr. Lyons, secretary of the Union, explained that at the con* ferencc the master grocers were repre- s sented by Messrs C Carter, J. McNeil, and F. E. Gadd. Mr. F. J. Lyons represented the assistants. - The claims of the Union, were a. £i 5$ minimum. The employers offered. 4s per week on the present minimum, which brought the,, weekly wage up-"to £3 lit Od.

On this being put to the meeting it was unanimously rejected. Several members spoke in strong terms of the small offer made by the employers, and regret was expressed that an agreement could not be arrived at, as in the past all disputes had been settled by conciliation.

It was pointed out to the Union thai the Arbitration Court would grant a 9« per week increase, and it meant that the employers' offer wag practically nothing. Tn other words, it amounted to the 4s pet week increase, which the Court is granting all workers' unions who apply, at from January Ist

After further discussion a committee was formed to prepare a case for the Arbitration Court at next sitting in Sev Plymouth, which we understand will be some time in February. Mr. Mortusw, secretary of the Auckland Grocers' Unkm, was appointed to conduct the case for the Union.