HOURS STILL 44.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 19 September 1938, Page 12

HOURS STILL 44.

SHOP ASSISTANTS,

INCREASE OF 7/6 GIVEN

REMAIN OPEN ON SATURDAY.

Though an increase of 7/0 a. week was made in the wages of senior male workers, with increases also in the pay of/other workers, the Second Court of Arbitration has refused a 40-hour week to shop assistants.

In issuing the New Zealand retail shop, assistants' award," the term of which is from to-day until March 19, 1940, Mr. Justice Hunter stated in a memorandum that an application for a 40-hour week, with the closing of shops on Friday night and Saturday mornings, was made similarly in 1930. The hours had then been reduced from 4S to 44, but the Court had refused to prohibit work on Saturday mornings. No substantial evidence had been submitted showing that there had been a change in conditions since 1930.

The workers' representative on the Court, Mr. A. W. Croskery, had dissented, among other things, on the question of hours and wages, contending that the employers had failed to prove that it woud be impracticable to carry on efficiently if a 40-hour week was granted.

Hours and Wages. In his memorandum his Honor stated that in view of the varying conditions existing in the multiplicity of shops covered by tin's award, the Court had not felt that it would be justified in imposing continuous hours. It had adopted the conditions regarding hours provided for under the northern (except Gisbome judicial district), Wellington (except Hawke's Bay) and Otago and Southland shop assistants' award, with necessary amendments to reduce' the weekly hours to 44. Following its decisions in the grocers' assistants' and chemists' assistants' awards recently issued, his Honor continues, the Court had granted an increase in wages of 7/6 a week to senior male workers. Increases similar to those in the grocers' award had been provided for junior workers. 1 The pattern of tlie wage scale followed that of the 1930 combined districts award, which included provision for rates of wages for workers under 15 years or a«-e. Mr. Duff's Suggestion. Mr. V. Duff, employers' member of the .Court, was of the opinion that the Court should adopt a scale based solely upon age and experience, but that course would have necessitated such drastic alterations in existing wage conditions as regards certain workers that the majority of the Court could not see its way to agree to it. Mr. DufT based his opinion, on the ground that the basis of wages was service, and that the scale adopted had the effect of advancing a worker's status without the requirernent of qualifying service.

A majority of the Court was of the opinion that the evidence showed that there was )io justification for female workers handling piece silks, velveteens, cotton dress goods and prints receiving a higher rate of remuneration by reason merely of their being employed in such departments. In order to protect female workers at present employed handlin" these goods, the Court had made a pro" vision to the-effect that their should not be reduced while they remained, in their present employment.