54-HOUR WEEK

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23587, 14 March 1942, Page 6

54-HOUR WEEK

Defence Construction Work OUTLINE OF NEW PROCEDURE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 13. “The serious situation in the Pacific calls for every effort in the prosecution of all urgent defence works,” said the Commissioner of Defence Construction (Mr James Fletcher) to-night. "It will be my aim to see that all available resources in men, materials, and equipment are utilised to the very best advantage. My duty is to co-ord-inate the activities of interested Government departments, local bodies, and the building industry.” Mr Fletcher said that the powers previously vested in the various controllers had been made available to him, and it was his intention to use such powers for the comnletion of all urgent defence works. The rates of wages had been fixed for town and country at a flat rate, based on award rates, as applying to 50 hours. They would represent a reduction on the award for town rates and an increase for country work. The application of the flat rate would provide for uniformity throughout the country on all classes of defence work. The rates would apply to all operatives coming under the building trades awards, and also to public works employees where engaged on defence work. , , , The minimum 54-hour week for defence works would be made up of six days of nine hours each, but longer hours would be worked where necessary. and on certain jobs where it was possible 24 hours a day would be worked by shifts. . . Mr Fletcher said that the provision in the Defence Works Labour Legislation Suspension Order for a minimum wage of £5 5s weekly would safeguard a married man or a man with dependants who was transferred from his home to a country job. "It must be realised,” he said, "that the flat rate of payment on all defence works, regardless of the districts where a. mail is employed, is a fair and equitable basis for all the men engaged. Transfer of Men Referring to the 30s weekly board allowance and/or the provision ol board and lodging, Mr Fletcher said that it would be necessary to transfer men from their homes to other districts. Transportation and travelling time, based on the rate of nine hours a day, would be paid, in addition tc the flat rate of wages set out. Where possible, the labour factor would be determined on certain contracts, anc this would permit of work being carried out on the basis of a bonus fo the total amount of any savingeffected on such contracts. Mr Fletcher added that through- tht proper authorities he would requisition where necessary any material, or equipment which was available, wherever it might be, and the price paid for such material would be nxea by the Price Investigation Tribunal or, if no price had been fixed, then the ruling market price. ‘ Closing of Some Contracts" "With the establishment of a fixed wage for all defence workers it would be possible to transfer men from les: essential to essential defence work without any change in hours and conditions of work. This would of necessity entail the closing down of some contracts, but as far as possible existing organisations in the industry would be maintained so that the fullest advantage could be taken of the management skill available. Where the contract was of such magnitude that it could not be speedily completed by a single organisation, the work would be divided into sections, which would be allocated to several organisations on the basis of the labour that they had Arrangements were being made for schedules of quantities to be prepared for each contract bv representatives of the building trade in each district. These would be submitted f o j" purposes, and contracts would then be let. either in whole or in part, to suen builders or building organisations as were capable of carrying out the work at the agreed schedule figure. Avoidance of Delay To ensure that no delay was occasioned by this procedure, work could and would be allocated before the schedules were completed. Each individual contractor or group of contractors would have the opportunity oi checking the schedule and wherever a rate was considered inadequate, power was given to negotiate a mutually satisfactory rate. These arrangements, Mr Fletcher concluded, could only yield the desired result if he as commissioner, wa given the fullest co-operation from all concerned. From discussions he had with representatives of the Armed Forces, labour organisations, builders organisations, the Public Works Department, and other Government departments he was sure that such support would be forthcoming. SUSPENSION OF AWARDS NEW REGULATIONS GAZETTED CARPENTERS TO BE PAID £B/15/6 A WEEK

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 13. Rates of pay and hours of work on all defence works are prescribed in a Labour Legislation Suspension Order gazetted to-night, suspending the provisions of all awards, industria agreements and voluntary agreements affecting the conditions of employment in any industries carried on in connexion with defence works. This action follows the announcement of the appointment of a Defence Construction Council to ensure absolute priority for defence works and their speedy construction. Under the order the normal hours of work will be 54 weekly. Shifts are to be worked as required. Wages are to be calculated on a basis of the total amount payable under the relevant award, or an agreement for a 50-hour week, with overtime at the rate of time and a half for hours in excess of ordinary hours For example, carpenters will receive 3s 3d and labourers 2s 9d an hour or a weekly wage for 54 hours of £8 15s 6d and £7 8s 6d respectively. No overtime or holiday or Sunday rates will be payable for work done on such occasions. Each worker will be paid a minimum of £5 5s weekly except for any week during which he is absent from work through his own default.

On country work unless board and lodging is provided an allowance of 30s weekly will be paid. Provision is also made for work to be performed by contract on a co-operative basis where necessary.

In respect of matters not provided for in the order provisions contained in awards or agreements apply.

The Minister for Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) stated that very careful consideration had been given to the conditions laid down in the order, which may call for a sacrifice on the part of some workers who, at present, because of the shortage of manpower are receiving amounts greatly in excess of award rates. “However, I have been greatly encouraged by the discussions that have taken place and the earnest desire expressed by the workers’ organisations and the employers to give their wholehearted support to the scheme.’’ The Minister added that the provisions of the Order had been concurred in by the Hours Committee of the Industrial Emergency Council.

Camouflaged Camps Instructions that no camping was to be carried out by scouts unless the camps were properly camouflaged, and attention paid to black-out restrictions, were laid down at the last monthly meeting of the County Scouts’ Council recently.