Cost of living bonus lost by hosiery staff

THE cost of living bonus which has been a basis of the wages structure of the hosiery industry since the days immediately following the first world war is to come to an end.

Under an Industrial Court award announced on Monday the bonus is to be consolidated into the time and piece rates at the level of 1s in the shilling of basic rates, and instead of the present arrangement for six-monthly reviews and adjustments of the bonus there will be wages reviews at fixed intervals.

The National Union of Hosiery Workers strenuously opposed the abolition of the bonus agreement and protracted negotiations took place with the manufacturers. These came to a point where a dispute existed between the two sides.

This dispute was referred to the Industrial court by the Ministry of Labour in accordance with the arbitration procedure of the industry and this week’s award is the result of that.

Announcing its decision the Industrial Court says: ‘Having given careful consideration to the evidence and submissions of the parties, the court award that the cost of living bonus shall be consolidated into the time and piece rates at the level of 1s. in the shilling, subject to the stop points, and that the bonus agreement shall be at the same time terminated and replaced by a clause providing conditions of employment by negotiation related to annual or other fixed periods. This award shall have effect from the first pay din in March. 1967.’

Mr George E Dearing, general president of the union and Mr H L Gibson, general secretary, said in a joint statement: ‘The award is disappointing, having regard to the efforts made by the union over this long period of time, for the retention of the bonus.”

“However, it is felt that the alternative of the insertion of a clause in the national agreement for annual negotiations will effectively ensure that the matter of wage adjustments can be kept under continuing revue and provide a means whereby wage movements can take place periodically.”

Alongside the application of the award, the introduction of the second stage of the 40-hour week will come into operation on the first pay day in May, together with a three per cent increase where appropriate. In addition to this a further 3 per cent increase for all workers will be made to cover the wages movement for the A plain wooden cross stands at the front of the Borough Congregational Church as a reminder of Holy Week and all that it means to the Christian faith. remainder of this year. This further payment will be made at the earliest possible time permitted by the Government. The award may give rise to consequential alterations to the national agreement in so far as other clauses are concerned.” The statement adds that discussions with the employers will be resumed on March 31. In the meantime members are definitely instructed not to accept any changes in wages, rates, time rates, piece rates or general working conditions until further instructions are received from the ‘union. The union prefaces its statements by recalling that when a case was put to the Industrial Court on the union’s claim for the introduction of the 40-hour week, the award of the court, dated December 31, 1965 laid the 40-hour week should be introduced. At the time the Industrial Court rebutted the claim of the employers that the 40-hour week should be conditional upon the abolition of, or alternation to, the existing cost of living bonus agreement. The court stated that “the employers’ proposal relating to the bonus agreement, which was made separately on June 5, 1965, is a matter for separate negotiations.”

Crude nails remain where His hands and feet were secured and its message is in its simplicity. Tom Spencer and his sister Kathleen, pause to look as they make their way through the Borough.

Some of the children who took part in the highly successful concert held at the Stoke Golding Village Hall on Tuesday night.