FREEZING WORKERS’ AWARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1921, Page 7

FREEZING WORKERS’ AWARD.

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE. PLIGHT OF THE FARMER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) “The meat industry of this country is facing bankruptcy unless the employers and employees are brought to a better understanding of the hopeless position in which the primary producers are placed, “said Mr. A. D. McLeod (Wairarapa) in the House on Friday afternoon. The member was asking the Minister of Labor whether the bonus granted the freezing workers under the uew award was a cost-of-living bonus and was subject to reduction by rhe Court. The present award was for two years, he observed, whereas the previous increases had been given for only one year. The Minister (Hon. G. J. Anderson) said the award stated that the bonus should be paid “unless and until the Court should otherwise order.” He was advised that the bonus was intended to be a cost of living bonus, and that the Court reserved to itself the right to amend it. Of course the Court exercised its discretion in fixing the term of the award. He had no power to influence the judge, and would not desire such a power. Mr. G. R. Sykes (Masterton) read to the Minister a resolution carried by a Farmers’ Union meeting at Masterton. The resolution urged that the freezing workers’ award should be revised because the rates of wages were unreasonably high and when passed on to the farmers in increased charges, would make it impossible for the farmers to carry on. Mr. Sykes wished to know whether there was any process by which the suggested revision could be effected. Owing to high freight and freezing charges and the abnormally low prices offering for stock, the meat industry, he said, was undergoing a process of strangulation. The Minister replied that there was no power under the law to revise the award, and he did not know that a revision would be wise. It was unfortunate if any mistake had been made, but the Court had had full evidence before it regarding results. There was no means of revising the award except so far as the bonus was concerned. It would have to run for its full

DETAILS OF AWARD. FOR TARANAKI DISTRICT. Following are the principal provisions in the new award of the Arbitration Court in the freezing works industry, for the Taranaki Industrial District: — Hours of Work. —The ordinary hours of work shall ibe 8 hours, including “sraoke-oh,” between 7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m., oh five days of the week, and four hours, including “smoke-oh,” between 7.30 a.m. and .12 noon on Saturdays. One hour shall be allowed for all meals except where otherwise mutually arranged in any department in any works. Notice shall -be given on Friday of any alteration in the usual time of commencing work for the following week at each works. For freezing chamber hands the hours of work shall be 8 in any twentyfour hours, reckoning from midnight to midnight. Overtime shall be paid for all work in excess of 8 hours in each 24. Provided that if men are required to work 'between 11 p.m. and 6.30 a.m. they shall -be paid 6d per hour extra for all hours worked at ordinary rates within that period of time: and provided further that when a worker is required to continue working overtime rate shall continue until he has had a break of at least one hour for each two hours’ continuous time worked. The maximum compulsory break is eight hours. Provision is made that with certain reservations, in the manure, tallow, oleo, fellmongery, preserving and engineering de-, partments, shifts may be worked to whatever extent may be necessary to cope with the work. For tue purposes of the award a shift shall be deemed to be any consecutive 8 hours in attendance all the time with two “smoke-ohs,” and 20 minutes for a meal, or “where an hour is allowed for a'meal the shift may be extended to nine hours.

Rates of Pay.—Slaughtering: All sheep not otherwise specified, £1 15s per 100; lambs, £1 12s 6d; with special provision for show sheep, etc.; cattle at per head, according to weight, from Is Id to 2s 9d to 7s 6d. Wages for slaughterhouse and cooling room assistants range from Is 9d to 2s per hour, with provision for piecework Yates for floormen and gutmen. In the fellmongery department pullers are to be paid at the rate of 6s 10ld per 100 skins; washers fret Is 94d per hour, with special rates for the varying seasons of the year; pelt workers, from Is 9d to 2s per hour; freezing chamber hands, Is lid per hour; preserving department, Is fkl to 2s per hour; casings department, Is lOd to 2s 2d per hour. Engine-room workers, 14s per watch of 8 hours, with 6d per hour additional for a seventh watch in the week where such is required, and 2s per day extra when engaged in cleaning flues. Watchmen. £4 4s per week; casual watchmen. Is 9d per hour. Wages for boys and youths range from £1 ids per week for those under 16. to £2 15s for those between IS and 1!) years. In addition to the minimum rates prescribed there shall be paid to all time workers a bonus of 15 per cent, on the above rates, and to piece-workers a bonus of 12’/ 2 P e »* cent - The bonus clause does not apply to boys.

Except if otherwise provided overtime shall be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter for the first two hours, and time and a half thereafter. Holidays.—Double rates shall be paid for all work done on Christmas Day, ■Good Friday, or Sundays; rate and a half for New Year’s Day, Easter Saturday. Easter Monday, Labor Day, King’s Birthday, and Boxing Day; also on three other holidays to be mutually arranged at the beginning of the season. General conditions of a comprehensive nature have been made for every department in the industry, and with a view to meeting every circumstance that may arise. The award comes into force on Deceqiber 12. 1921, and continues until June 30, 1923.