MEAL-HOUR PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 148, 19 March 1931, Page 6

MEAL-HOUR PROBLEM

Drivers of Petrol Wagons The Arbitration Court yesterday delivered judgments in two interpretations of awards asked for by the inspector of awards. The court was asked to interpret clause 1 (g) of the Northern, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Westland, Canterbury and Otago and Southland motor and borse drivers’ award, which lays down that one hour shall be allowed for dinner if feasible, but a condition is made that drivers of delivery petrol wagons shall not leave their vehicles during the dinner time. The court was asked to decide whether the time so occupied by the driver should be counted us part of the day’s work, and, if so, at what rate should payment be made. In delivering judgment, Mr. Justice Frazer said that if it were impossible to allow an hour for dinner a shorter period might be allowed, but if the driver were free from his duties the time did npt count as part of his daily hours. The clause, however, was mandatory that drivers shall have opportunity to have a meal. In the case of the driver of a petrol wagon, the time occupied in eating his meal was not his own time and should be paid for as part of his working time. If his daily or weekly hours were not exceeded, the rate of payment is the ordinary rate, and any excess time is to be paid for at the appropriate overtime rate. The argument that a similar rule should apply to horse drivers did not hold good, as the Dangerous Goods Act placed specific duties and responsibilities on drivers of petrol wagons during their hours of duty. HOURS OF BUTCHERS Arbitration Court Decision In delivering judgment upon clause 8 (b) of the Wellington industrial district butchers’ award, iu the Arbitration Court yesterday his Honour Mr. Justice Frazer said that the court held that the time worked before the ordinary commencing hour on two mornings is to be paid for at overtime rates (double time), in addition to the ordinary weekly wages. The fact that the total time worked did not amount to 48 hours weekly did not affect the issue, for the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act, 1921-22, prohibited the working of assistants for more than 48 hours per week, except for the purposes of work of a special nature.