EMPLOYEES OF POWER BOARDS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25767, 31 March 1949, Page 3

EMPLOYEES OF POWER BOARDS

NEW AWARD ISSUED Several clauses have been written into the new award for the Marlborough. Nelson, Westland, and Canterbury electric power boards* and supply authorities’ employees. The award replaces six previous awards. This award brings in the 40-hour week to the employees concerned, the working days to be Monday to Friday inclusive. Shift workers may be worked for five shifts each of eight hours, and workers required to do repair and maintenance work on Saturdays or Sundays, or on public holidays will be paid in accordance with the provisions of the Factory Act. Where workers are required to work in «hifts, such shifts shall rotate so that each worker will receive an‘equal share pf Saturday and Sunday work. Racemeh working in Westland are not included in the foregoing clause. All time worked over the hours mentioned in the award will be paid at the rate of time and a half for the first three hours, and at double time th’ereafter. Shift workers who are required to work

shifts on holidays, Saturdays, or Sundays will be given 21 continuous days' paid annual holiday. Other employees will be allowed holidays in accordance with the Annual Holidays Act. The award provides that all necessary tools will be provided by the employer, an<f workers using their own transport in connexion with their employer's business wili be paid allowances for this. The minimum rates of weekly wages have been laid down as follows:—lnspectors. £8: electrical workers, £7 10s; Diesel plant operators, £7 9s sd; servicemen (A certificate). £8; servicemen (B certificate), £7 10s; other servicemen, £7 7s 6d; storemen, £6 19s 2d; storemen (Levels district), £7 6s 8d; meter tester, £7 10s; linesmen. £7 6s 8d; linesmen's assistants, £6 19s 2d; workshop and test room asssitants, £7 0s lOd; permanent labourers at hydro station. £7 4s 2d; racemen. £B, labourers, £6 13s 6d. Casual labourers will be paid an hourly rate of one-fortieth of the rates mentioned.