MOVE TO END 40- HOUR WEEK

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26729, 13 May 1952, Page 7

MOVE TO END 40HOUR WEEK

COURT APPLICATION IN AUSTRALIA (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) SYDNEY, May 12. Moves to abolish the 40-hour week in Federal awards throughout Australia will be made soon. It is expected that within two months the full Arbitration Court will consider applications by the metal trade employers to increase the weekly hours in industry to 44. About three months ago 11 unions, the members Of which are engaged in the metal trades, filed claims in the Court for a 36-hour week. The employers immediately countered With a claim for the restoration of the 44hour week.

The metal trades have been uneasy since the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr J. M. Galvin) refused in midJanuary to increase the margins for skilled workers because he held that the Australian economy would nut stand it.

While discussion and direct action over this' ruling were going on, the Arbitration Court adjourned the hearing on both the claim and the counterclaim. The matter will be taken up again at a time when the Full Court is expected to make a general review of the working week. The Full Court can vary awards affecting the conditions of 1,500,000 Australian workers—about 75 per cent, of the Commonwealth's total working force. The employers want the matter to be handled in the form of a full inquiry at which they propose to produce evidence that the 40-hour week has accomplished nothing but to force production costs higher and reduce the potential of labour force. It is likely that the Federal Government will intervene to make available facts and figures. Many Ministers are convinced that the 40-hour week has imposed too great a strain upon Australia’s economy. The measure was introduced by some States, notably New South Wales as a political measure, but politicians are understandably reticent about associating themselves with a reversion to longer hours.