Wives Not Wanted As Shearers’ Cooks

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30559, 30 September 1964, Page 17

Wives Not Wanted As Shearers’ Cooks

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SYDNEY, Sept. 29. The Australian Workers’ Union has asked shearer members throughout Australia not to employ wives as mess cooks. Working wives have caused too much trouble on the job, the union said. The request, circulated in the form of “a strong recommendation” from the union’s executive council, applies to de facto as well as legal wives. Shearers engaged by stationowners on a “not found” basis make their own messing arrangements and engage cooks.

The general secretary of the A.W.U., Mr T. Dougherty, in a notice to members, reminded them of “the policy of the Union on female cooks.”

This policy, he said, was not to employ females in shearing sheds where their husbands or de facto busbands also were employed. He also reminded members that, under the Federal pas-

toral award, shearers could dismiss the cook. In all States, except Western Australia, most "not found” members of the mess may dismiss the cook if they are not satisfied after a twoday trial. A.W.U. officials said today women cooks had produced problems on the job. Tempers had become frayed when shearers criticised the menu and wanted to dismiss the cook. Some men, they said. Were very sensitive to criticism of their spouse’s ability to cook.