THE SLAUGHTERMEN’S DEMANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2707, 11 January 1910, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEN’S DEMANDS.

THE CONCILIATION COMMISSIONER’S TASK.

[Pun Press Association-! WELLINGTON, Jan. 10.

Mr Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, has appointed two master butchers of Petone to act as assesors for the men in. the slaughtering dispute. Mr Hally says he has unofficial information that these two men have the confidence of both sides. The Conciliation Council will sit on Wednesday afternoon. It is expected that the hearing will be finished by Wednesday evening, and the recommendations will be announced on Thursday morning. A well-inform-ed critic here says that conditions acceptable by men of other districts will depend on the terms conceded in Wellington. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 10. The local slaughtermen are uncommunicative pending the result of the conference witli the employers to-mor-row morning. The position in Wellington is being watched closely. THE POSITION IN GISBORNE. THE EMPLOYERS’ REPLY. As a result of the conference held on Saturday afternoon, and- in compliance with the expressed wish of the men, the following reply from the employers, signed by representatives of the two freezing companies, was handed to Mr. T. Jackson, secretary of the Freezers’ Union, yesterday morning: We are agreeable to the demands being considered and settled at once, and for this purpose we will facilitate, in every way, their investigation in the proper method- under the provisions of the - Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

The following is a copy of the men’s demands handed to the freezing companies : Hours of Labor.—Slaughtermen shall work 8 hours between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on five days of the week, but work shall cease at noon on Saturday. The employer shall have the right to call upon men jto work one hour overtime on any one day (Saturday excepted), for which payment shall be made at the rate of time and a-quarter. Ten minutes’ smoko shall be allowed morning and afternoon. Waiting Time. —In the event of a cut-out, men shall wait 15 minutes, and for all time waited beyond 15 minutes payment shall be made at the rate of 6d for every quarter hour or fraction thereof. When work shall begin at a later hour than 8 a.in., payment shall be made at the rate of 6d for everv fifteen minutes after S p.m., until time of starting. A grindstone shall l>e placed in some convenient place for every 25 men or fraction thereof. Dead Sheep.—No sheep shall be skinned after being dead 24 hours, and Is each shall be paid for all dead sheep skinned. Rates of Wages.—For all sheep and lambs 25s per hundred; for all rams 5d each; cattle 2s each; calves Is 6d each. When men are required to work on any of the following holidays double rates shall be paid: Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday, New Year’s Day, ani a rate and a-half for Boxing Day, Easter Monday, Labor Day, King’s Birthday, and People’s Show Day. One day a year shall he set apart as picnic day, the day shall be mutually agreed upon by the Union and the employer. Preference. —Preference of employment shall he given to members of the Poverty Bay Slaughtermen’s Industrial Union of Workers. One learner per season shall be allowed to every lo men, and preference shall he given to men working in the slaughter-houses of the companies. The main difference contained in these demands from the award under which the men are working __ is. of course, the increased rate asked for killing—viz., from 23s per hundred to 255. There is a slight amendment of an hour both morning and evening in the hours of working, and Id per head more is asked for the killing of rams. Holidays are also affected somewhat. Instead of receiving rate and a-half for working on New Y'ear’s Day, the men are asking for double time, and they wish to substitute Boxing Day for Prince of Wales’ Birthday. The holidays under the present award are as follows: Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday (double time), New Y T ear’s Day, Easter Monday, Prince of Wales’ Birthday, Labor Day, King’s Birthday., and Show Day (time and a-half). Another important demand is that instead of a learner per season for every five men, as at- present, there shall only be one learner for every 15 men. The possibilities of a strike are being recognised by both companies, and although killing is still progressing at each works, future bookings are being received on the condition that should a strike eventuate the farmers shall take back the sheep. The men continue to he reticent regarding their course of action. A meeting was held last night to discuss the position, but it is almost certain that no separate action will be taken locally. Rather, that the local slaughtermen, in common with those in other places, -will be hound by the decision of the executive of the Federation, when the employers’ replies are made known. In any case some days must necessarily" elapse before any action one way or the other is taken. From inquiries made by a “Times” reporter yesterday, it was inferred that the men are not altogether in favor of the matter being adjudicated upon by tlie Conciliation Council, in which case a strike would appear to be inevitable.