DAIRY FACTORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 8

DAIRY FACTORIES.

OVERTIME PAYMENT.

AN ALTERNATIVE ADVANCED.

TIME OFF PROPOSED.

"We think you would l>e serving both the dairy farmers and the factory employees if you would give this matter your serious consideration," states a circular, which has been forwarded to all dairy companies in the Dominion by the New Zealand Dairy Board, in suggesting that instead of paying overtime to dairy factory employees in cash the accrued time should be carried forward and given as time off in the slack season.

The proposal was advanced by one of the large dairy companies which, in inviting an expre«»ion of opinion concerning it, points out that dairying is a seasonal occupation, during the peak of which considerable overtime has to be worked. If instead of paying time and a quarter and time and a half in cash, the companies were allowed to carry forward overtime on the basis of time and a quarter and time and a half, they could practically assure employees continuous work, or at least continuous payment. If overtime were paid the companies must of necessity shorten staff when the slack season arrived. On the other hand if it jiermitted that, say eight hours' overtime worked in one week were credited in time to the employee, and this time be given off in the slack season, it would provide continuous drawing of wages throughout the whole year. As a safeguard against abuse it could l>e laid down that the practice may he adopted only where an employee was engaged continuously throughout the year. Under the scheme team spirit would be retained within the organisation, and the suggestion was therefore submitted for consideration in the interests of those engaged in the dairying industry.