SATURDAY WORK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11, 13 January 1945, Page 7

SATURDAY WORK

EXTRA PAY WANTED

FRUIT CANNING EMPLOYEES

Emploj-ees of Thompson and Hills, Ltd., did not report for work this morning, thus confirming a decision reached earlier in the week not to work on Saturday mornings at ordinary rates of pay. Provision is made in the award covering the fruit and vegetable preserving industry for a 44-hour week between. November and April if circumstances demand it. Ordinarily the employees concerned ■work a 40-hour week, but they were informed this week that extra hours would have to be woked to handle considerable quantities of green peas and plums which were arriving at the factory.

It was stated this morning by representatives of the firm that the employees' action would result in considerable loss of perishable goods. Most of the firm's production was for the armed forces. The management had notified a deputation from the employees that it was unable to consider the payment of overtime rates for Saturday work, as requested, because of the provisions of the award and of the Economic and Stabilisation Regulations. ■Saturday morning work has also been discussed at the factory of Jrvine and Stevenson, Ltd., where it was decided the extra four hours would not be worked unless there were perishable goods to be dealt with. The staff reported at the factory to-day for this purpose.