LABOUR AND FARM INDUSTRIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9225, 24 June 1909, Page 5

LABOUR AND FARM INDUSTRIES.

AN INTERESTING AWARD,

CONCEKNING OUR LOCAL PASJ TORAL COMMUNITY.

TERMS OF THE WELLINGTON BUTTER, CREAMERY, AND CHEESE FACTORY AWARD.

Of special intere9tto our country readers, and of general interest to many others, will be the terms of the Wellington, Butter Creamery, and Cheese Factory award. This award came into force this montb, and the new status given to workers connected with such an important industry, and one so directly allied with the profit making or otherwise ot the farm, is in its way unique, as labour has not hitherto seriously invaded the realm of the "man PR the land." Speaking to a well-known Carterton settler, interested in several factories there affected by the award, an Age reporter was informed yesterday that the award would not affect his companies in a detrimental way-at least as far as wages were concerned—as their employees had a generous margin outside the minimum wages fixed. Z**« The full text of the awwd is as follows :

• Hours of Work. The hours of work in butter and cheese factories shall not exceed seventy hours per week of seven days, exclusive of meaHiours. The hours of work in'creameries shall be arranged between the employers and their respective workers. Overtime. Any time worked in excess of the hours herein prescribed shall be paid at the rate and a quarter for the first four hours and thereafter at the rate of time and a half. Wages in Butter>nd Cheese Factories. The following shall be the minimum rates of wages for workers employed in butter and cheese factories : Where only one adult worker other than the manager la employed he shall be paid not less than £2 ptr week, with free sleeping accommodation. Where two adult workers other than the manager are , employed the first assistant shall ba paid £2 5s per week, with free sleeping accommodation; second assistant, £2 per week. with free sleeping accommodation. Where three or more assistants other than tha manager are empl>yed: First assistant, £2 10s per week, with free sleeping accommodation-; second assistant, £2 5s per week, with free sleeping accommodation; third assistant, £2 per week, with I free sleeping accommodation.

Other hands, not including youths, £1 17s 6d*per week and free sleeping accommodation.

Engine driver where first-class certificate is required, £3jper week. Wages of Creamery Managers.

The wages of creamery managers shall be not less than £2 per week, with firewood, milk, and suitable living accommodation. General. Where any of the above mentioned! extras are not supplied, payment shall be made in lieu thereof, the amount to be .settled by 'agreement between the employer and the worker, and failing such an agreemnet then by the local Inspector of Factories. EmplyoiKent of Youths. Youths over the age of sixteen years may be employed in factories at not less than the following wages: —From 16 to 18 years of age £1 per week; from 18 to 20 years of age, £1 10s per week. Holidays. *• Every worker who shall have worked for not jess than months during the same year for the same employer shall be entitled to and shall receive fourteen days holiday on full pay, and a holiday of proportionate duration shall be allowed every worker who shall have worked less than eight months during, the same year for the same employer, but not less than two months. For the purposes of this clause the year shall be reckoned in each case from the date of the commencement o£ the contract of service. Accommodation. A bathroom for the use of workers shall be provided at all butter and cheese factories where two or more workers are employed.

Piecework. Piecework shall not be allowed.

Contracts,

Employers are entitled to have all or any part of their work done by contract, but in all cases where auy work is let by contract the employer shall make provision in every contract binding the contractor to pay any worker employed by him on any such contract the minimum rate of wages prescribed by this award, and to observe all the other conditions of this award so far as the same are applicable to such workers. No Discrimination, No employer shall discriminate against members of the union, nor shall any employer in the conduct of hisjbusiness do anything directly or indirectly for the purpose of injuring the union. Term of Award. This award shall oiae into force on the 81st day of May, 1909, and shall continue in force until the Slst day of March, 1910. In witness whereof the seal of the Court of Arbitration hath hereto been put and affixed, and the Judge of the said Court hath hereto set his hand, this 30th day of April, 1909. W. A. SIM, Judge.