GROCERY TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1921, Page 5

GROCERY TRADE.

WAGES AND HOURS FIXED. THE TARANAKI AWARD. The New Plymouth retail grocers’ assistants’ ‘dispute, which was adjourned from Friday last, occupied the attention of the Conciliation Council yesterday, under the presidency of the Commissioner (Mr. T. Harle Giles), and the council’s deliberations resulted in a complete agreement being arrived at. The award affects the whole of the Taranaki industrial district. The assessors for the employers were: Messrs. C. Carter and F. E. Gadd (New Plymouth), and W. Gilbert (’Hawera). The union’s delegates were: Messrs. R. MeKeen (Wellington), J. O’Grady (New Plymouth), and J. H. Mortensen (Auckland) .

Following is the text of the agreement arrived at:— Hours of work.—Work is limited to, 48 hours weekly, to be apportioned as follows: Mondays and Tuesdays, 8.15 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.; on the half-holiday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon; long night, 8 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.: on the other two days of the week, S a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Any time worked in excess of these hours shall be deemed overtime, and shall be be paid for at the rate of time and a half for the first three hours and double time thereafter.

Wages.—Assistants, 15 to 16 years of age, 15s per week; 16 to 17, £1; 17 to 18, £1 7s 6d; 18 to 19, £2; 19 to 20, £2 10s; 20 to 21, £3; 21 to 22,. £3 10s; 22 and over, £4 2s Gd; minimum for drivers, 22 years of age and upwards, £4 2 S Gd. The rates of wages above prescribed shall be increased by a bonus of 8s per week for all workers over the age of 21 years, and a bonus of 6s pyr week to workers up to the age of 21, unless and until the Court shall otherwise order. The above rates are subject to any" future bonus which may be declared by the Arbitration Coilrt.

The agreement stipulates that the wages shall be paid weekly and in cash on any day other than Saturday. Holidays.—The following holidays were agreed on: New Year’s Day and January 2, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Labor Day, birthday of reigning sovereign, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and Anzac Day. No work shall be done on any of the above mentioned holidays, except stable work, which shall be paid for at double time rates on Sundays and all other holidays. One holiday of one week on full pay shall be granted to each worker on the completion of each year of service, the holiday to be taken at a time to be fixed by the employers. Rates for casual workers were agreed on as not less than 2s Gd per hour with a minimum of four hours for any day on which a worker is employed. Canvassers required to be out collecting orders after 1 p.m. on any of the first five days of the week are to receive a minimum of Is Gd for dinner each day.

The award will contain the usual clauses as to under-rate workers, preference, clerks, and notice as. to overtime. The award will come Into force on March 7, and remains .in operation for one year.

At the close of the proceedings, on the motion of Mr. C. Carter (employers), seconded by Mr. McKeen for the union representatives, and supported by all the assessors, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Commissioner for the able manner in which fro had presided over proceedings. Assessors on both sides remarked on the friendly spirit which had been evinced by all parties, although a strenuous fight had been put up t Mr. Giles, in replying, expressed the hope that the understanding which had been arrived at would result in the employees continuing in their good will towards the employers.