WOOL STORES DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21939, 13 November 1936, Page 10

WOOL STORES DISPUTE

* MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE 40-HOUR WEEK SURPRISE AMONG FIRMS AFFECTED (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, November 12 Although the question of hours of in wool stores is now before an uncompleted Conciliation Council a move was made in wei lington to-day to bring about a fiveday week of 40 hours for wo ol -store workers. It was said to-night that similar moves are bem ,|. l-bev tic New Zealand centres. Should they be successful, there will be no work in wool stores on Saturday. A request to wool store workers to observe strictly the 40-hour week issued, in the case of Wellington, by the secretary, has caused surprise among the firms affected. The employers at the Conciliation Council proceedings, which began in Christchurch on November 2, and which eventually were adjourned, to November 19, opposed the introduction of the 40-hour or -five-day week on the ground that it was impracticable. The Conciliation Council dispute was adjourned to enable the employees’ assessors to refer the question of hours to the members of the union. Interviewed to-night,. Mr A. Mabm, president Of the New Zealand Wool Brokers’ Association, questioned the legality of the move to impose on the industry a five-day week of 40 hours while Conciliation Council proceedings with a view to framing a new award, were in progress. The n»en, he said, were at present working under the J931 award, providing for 44 hours over sir, days, the minimum the employers believed to be practicable.