Three Weeks’ Leave For Aust. Unions

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30110, 19 April 1963, Page 9

Three Weeks’ Leave For Aust. Unions

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

SYDNEY, April 18.

Almost half Australia’s work force—about 2,000,000 workers —will get increased annual leave and probably more pay as a result of an Arbitration Commission ruling given today.

Delivering its reserved judgment in Sydney, the full bench of the Commission said prospects for Australia’s economy could be regarded with optimism "The national capacity has increased, and is likely to continue to increase, in the foreseeable future,” the bench said “In these circumstances we are confident that the economy is able to sustain the increase of 10 per cent in margins in the metal trades award, which we consider is otherwise justified” Three 4 eeks’ Leave In today’s judgement, the full bench of the Arbitration Commission unanimously granted three weeks’ annual leave *o metal trades workers. The present minimum is two weeks

The Court alsc granted pav increases to 150.000 metal tradesmen. They will get a 10s a week rise which is a 10 per cent, rise in margins above the basic wage. The basic wage is a wage

fixed by the Court as a minimum needed to sustain a man, his wife and two children. Workers in various trades receive court-fixed margins above the basic wage, based on skill. The decision to grant extra leave is confined to the metal trades award, but the Court said it intended to extend this to secondary industry generally Test Case The metal trades application for extra leave was regarded as a test case for all Federal ’av ards But the rise in wages is not. However, industrial circles say there is no doubt that the im.-rease will eventually flow to other federal awards Its extension to other industries will be a function for conciliation between employers and unions with the decision depending on individual judges and arbitration commissioners where no agreement is reached .The full bench decision is a precedent.