40-HOUR WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 183, 4 August 1936, Page 5

40-HOUR WEEK.

EMPLOYERS' OFFER. SPORTS GOODS WORKERS. FACTORIES AND SHOPS. An offer of a 40-hour week, to be extended over five days in tlie ease of factory workers, and over five and a half days in the ease of workers attached to shops, was made by the employers whan sports goods workers sought an award in Conciliation Council before Mr. I'. Hallv, Conciliation Commissioner, today. Full consideration of the offer was deferred until after the luncheon adjournment. The applicants were the Auckland United Furniture Trades' Industrial Union of Workers (sports goods section), and their assessors were Mr. A. H. Dixon (advocate), Mr. F. Dvniock, Mr. A. liobertson and Mr. C. Bailey. The assessors for the employers were Mr. W. E. Anderson (agent), Mr. O. 13. Eyre, Mr. M. H. Tisdall, Mr. M. H. Wiseman, and Mr. J. Vock. The workers sought originally a 40hour week, to be worked between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., on the first five working days of the week. The minimum wages to be paid to journeymen sports good's workers were £0, with £3 for females. Work required to be performed by females was to be binding only. Overtime work should, it was considered, be paid for at double time rates, and annual holidays should include the period from Christinas Day to January 2. Objecting to these claims, the employers proposed originally that hours of work should be as provided in the Factories' Act and its amendments. Male workers over the age of 21 years should be paid a minimum wage of 2/ an hour. Male workers under 21 years, and female workers might be employed in accordance with the Factories Act and its amendments. Overtime and holidays would be also as provided for in the Act. "Not Allied."As in the recent case of piano tuners, Mr. Anderson contended that although sports goods workers were registered under the Furniture Trades Union, tliey were in no way allied to the funiture trades. A union, he said, should only be registered to include workers ill all branches of one industry or in industries definitely related to it. .The furniture Trades Union was not justified in negotiating Tor conditions of employment for sports goods workers. Both parties agreed that some branches of the industry were mor*. closely allied to the iron trades. Mr. Dixon pointed out that his union concorned only the workers in wood, and not those connected with iron work.

Saying that the employers did not wish to hold up proceedings 011 this point, Mr. Anderson stated that in the case of juniors the Factories Act conditions and wages were liberal, and as much aia they could afford, and there was no chance of giving anything better. However, they were, quite prepared to discuss the wages of adult male workers. The Factories Act conditions were so good now that the employers could not .be expected to go any better.

Mr. Dixon: It is always like that. Whenever the workers ask for anything the employers say, '"Industry can t afford it."

Mr. Eyre pointed out that the economic aspect had to be borne in mind. The sports goods industry was not a substantial one, compared with other industries. He spoke of the strength of overseas competition.

In a short discussion on the hours of work, the employers pointed out that there was a big sale of sports goods on Fridays and on Saturday mornings.

Mr. Anderson: Would you agree to a 40-hour week, to be extended over five days for workers in factories and over live and a half days for workers attached to shops? There was no direct answer. After some discussion on the overtime question, Mr. Anderson asked if payment at the rate of time arid a half for the first three hours and double time thereafter would be acceptable. The workers decided to consider this offer and Mr. Anderson's suggestion as to the hours of work. After the retirement Mr. Anderson said the 40-hour week offer still held. Factory workers would work five days, from 8 a.m-. to 5 p.m., aud workers attached to shops five and a half days, consisting of four days worked between 8 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., Friday between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and Saturday between 8 a.m. and noon. Mr. Dixon: As far as Friday night goes, we look upon that as overtime. Mr. Anderson: We will not agree to that. It is necessary for these workers to be present when the shops are open. Any time in excess of the 40 hours will be overtime. Payment for Special Skill. In regard to wages the employers wore prepared to pay male workers reaching the age of 21 years 2/ an hour, 22 years 2/1 and 23 years and thereafter 2/2 an hour. It was recognised that some workers might , possess an exceptionally high degree of skill and tliev would, as a matter of course, be paid at what they were worth. Females would be paid as follow: —First year, 15/ to 19/; second, 23/ to 27/; third, 31/ to 35/; fourth, £2; and thereafter, £2 5/. The same scale would apply to boys, with the provision that on reaching the age of 21 they would be classed as adult male workers and paid accordingly. At this stage the luncheon adjournment was taken.