ESSENTIAL WORKERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 197, 21 August 1942, Page 6

ESSENTIAL WORKERS

THE FATE OF APPEALS

"XEEI> FOR VIGILANCE"

"There have been several instances of recent date of appeals being heard successfully and which were at a later date withdrawn by the employers concerned, notwithstanding the fact that the workers for whom they appealed are still in their employ and engaged on the same essential work for which the appeal was granted." writes the secretary of the Auckland Road Transport and Motor and Horse Drivers and their Assistants' Industrial Union of Workers, Mr. L. G. Matthews, in a letter to the Star.

"These instances were subsequently investigated by the union and we could find no reason for the withdrawal of the appeals in question other than that the workers concerned had insisted on the employer maintaining reasonable working conditions for the driver in one case and in other cases the payment of wages in accordance with Government regulations.

"There are other appeals being lodged for workers who are only intermittently engaged on essential work where it is realised by this union that these appeals are granted by the board believing that the workers are engaged wholly on essential work.

"Instances such as these will clearly disclose the necessity for greater vigilance on the part of the appeal boards, for it is obvious to this union that the grounds for appeals made by some employers would not be sustained on investigation. All of these cases have been forwarded to the Minister of Manpower and it is the intention of this union to acquaint him of similar instances for further inquiry."