Definition of fair day’s work at issue

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 16

Definition of fair day’s work at issue

The definition of a fair day’s work was the main issue in a claim against Dunlop (N.Z.), Ltd. in the Christchurch Industrial Court.

Robert James Te Miha. an official of the Rubber Workers' Union, and a salt bath operator. sought a week’s [wages from the company because of alleged unjustified dismissal.

. The hearing was before [judge R. D. Jamieson. No decision was reached. Mr Te Miha (Mr C. A. McVeigh), said that he was dismissed on March 14 with about 150 other employees who were “on a go-slow.” The company had previouslyissued a memorandum asking the workers to return to normal productivity or face instant dismissal.

Mr Te Miha said that noi one knew what normal pro- [ duction was. The award listed I basic production figures well (below those which had consistently been achieved at the factory. An incentive , scheme was run. whereby workers were paid extra for production which exceeded 1 that stated in the award. 1 "Nowhere in the award (does it say that incentive work is compulsory,” said Mr Te Miha. If a union member worked at » reduced rate, he could expect reduced wages He could expect award wages for award production figures, not dismissal. Alan Campbell McEwan, works supervisor for Dunlop, said that the works could [achieve the basic production rate for the basic wage in three hours and a half. Manv [machines were stopped bv (operators during the go-slow i because their fast rate of pro. | duction would exceed the award rate. Francis William Richardson, the firm’s production manager, said that in previous go-slow actions bv union members, he had dismissed workers for the same reason as Mr Te Miha had been dismissed. Mr Te Miha had been reinstated on March 24.