DAIRY FACTORY WORKERS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29220, 2 June 1960, Page 16

DAIRY FACTORY WORKERS

Wage Order Included In Basic Pay

iNew Zeatana Press Association/ AUCKLAND, June 1.

A seven-day-a-week industry—the dairy factories—has been granted incorporation of the 24 percent, general wage order in its basic rates by the Arbitration Court.

Because the industry has penalty rates for work at weekends the incorporation will mean wage increases from 16s 5d to 32s a week during the season when employees work six days a week.

During the eight months of the dairy season factory employees work a six-day week rotated over seven days The Court's decision means that during the season a general hand will receive 16s 5d a week extra, bringing his weekly gross wages to £2O 7s 2d. A first assistant—the highest paid group under the awardwill receive 32s a week extra, making his wages £24 6s 9d. Normal weekly rates for a fiveday Monday to Friday week are £is 4s 3d for a first assistant, and £l3 0s 2d for a general hand.

Under the award, employees who work on Saturdays, whether inside or outside the normal 40-hour week, are paid time and a half. All Sunday work is paid for at double time.

The Court also agreed to the raising of penalty rates for shift work from 3s 6d a day to 5s a day.