NEW WAGES AND HOURS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23589, 17 March 1942, Page 4

NEW WAGES AND HOURS

DEFENCE CONTRACTS SUPPORT OF WORKERS’ ORGANISATIONS (P A.) WELLINGTON. March'l6. The New Zealand Workers’ Union, and the General Labourers’ National Federation, two of the largest workers organisations affected by the working conditions imposed by the Defence Construction Council, have issued a statement declaring that they are behind the intensive war effort. me statement js authorised by the president of the Workers’ Union (Mr R. Eddy), and the secretary <Mr A. Cook) and the president of the Labourers Federation (Mr L. Glover) and. the secretary (Mr P. M. Butler), _ The statement‘says that the majority of the work to be undertaken will oe “offensive construction work.’’ and that the workers concerned will welcome the incisive drive lor the culmination of the effort which has engaged them since the outbreak ot war. Commenting on the 54-hour week, the statement explains that the workeis have shown an inspiring willingness to work extended hours, and have, m fart been doing so, for which no overtime rates could fully recompense them. Minimum Wage “We have nothing but the fullest commendation for the appointment ol Mr James Fletcher as Commissioner, adds the statement, “Mr Fletcher has cut himself adrift from his business connexions, and offered his services free to the country. This gesture weighs greatly with us. We also appreciate his hustling ‘get on with the job’ efficiency. We will get behind him and give him honest support m a task of terrific magnitude.’’ ‘‘The wages and conditions will clarify a chaotic situation. The principle of a guaranteed minimum its 5s a week has been of outstanding moment to building construction workers for years, these workers offer their services continuously day in and out, and yet they haw? heretobefore been dc ied the right of any security other than for hours worked. As the industry is subject to weather and other fluctuations, lack of any minimum guarantee caused much discontent and needless hardship The workers do not claim wages for not working, but have repeatedly pointed out that the hourly basis of payment has not been an inducement to employers to organise operations properly so as to avoid blank pay weeks, , , . “Mr Fletcher has signalled his entry with a full face up to this problem, and in a few hours has ended a cen-tury-old canker. The minimum guarantee will not be abused, but will prove a gilt-edged investment for all concerned. “A recital of achievements m building construction and civil engineering undertakings since the outbreak of the war in the face of colossal problems would make an inspiring saga. It would also be of real value to the enemy. An outline of the work in hand would electrify the general public, but it would also assist the enemy, so information respecting details must for the present be undisclosed. Total Effort “We gladly welcome conditions which we would not tolerate under ordinary circumstances, and will continue to tackle our responsibilities as free citizens of a free nation in a manner emphasising our determination to remain free.” continues the statement. “We also welcome and endorse the, total effort being made in organising to the full the labour energy of the nation. We do not desire to enter into a recriminatory recital of attacks made on us by self-appointed critics who neither ‘reap nor spin.’ We do, however, feel that the general mobilisation of the labour power of the nation will bring alongside us some of those easy chair critics, and we will gladly welcome their assistance and carry out the job in hand. It will also, we hope, br.ng to them the realisation that whilst they have been talking we have been doing. We trust that now the call is made to them, they will respond to assist in the supreme effort necessary.” .