MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICING

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 257, 27 July 1936, Page 2

MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICING

Award of Court SATURDAY WORK HELD TO BE ESSENTIAL Holding that it had not been shown to be impracticable to work the 40-hour week for motor mechanics, the Arbitration Court has given judgment making the following amendments to existing awards: — In respect of workers in motor-car assembly factories, to a 40-hour week, eliminating work on Saturdays. In respect of workers in petrol service stations, to a 44-hour week, with the right to do work on Saturdays, as agreed between the parties. In respect of all other motor mechanics and of cycle mechanics, to a 40hour week with the right to work ou Saturdays. The motor mechanics in general garages, motor mechanics employed by transport aud service-car ffrms, and mechanics employed by cycle and motor-cycle dealers asked for a 40-hour week spread over five days, and the employers for a 44-hour week spread over six .days. The court held that it was essential to have these men work on Saturdays. The majority of the large army of private owners used their cars more at the week-end than at any other time duriug the week, and adjustments, cleaning, oiling, greasing, battery charging, minor repairs and other servicing were required frequently on Saturday morning to make the cars ready for the road. Commercial men, travellers and others, returning to their headquarters at the week-end, required their cars attended to on the Saturday ready to start on the road again on Monday. Carriers, goods transport operators, taxi-drivers, and other commercial vehicle owners, earning their living from the transport industry and having no mechanics of their own, required their repairs effected promptly and could not afford to have their vehicles held up. Saturday morning was one of the busiest days in the ordinary motor mechanic’s establishment. The docking of cars ,was an activity also undertaken by some motor garage proprietors, and the demand for this accommodation was greatest on Fridays and Saturdays. Transport service proprietors operating passenger service cars, goods transport lorries, omnibuses and the like, and employing motor mechanics to do their own repairs and servicing, had a like need for work to be done on a Saturday. Similarly, cycle and motorcycle shops, open on a Saturday, required the services of their mechanics particularly on a Saturday. Giving judgment, the court made an order to provide that the ordinary rate of weekly wages of any worker should not be reduced by reason of the reduction made in the number of his working hours. The order in respect of petrol service stations will continue in force for one year. This order will take effect as from September 1, 1936. At the hearing of the application to amend the New Zealand (except Marlborough) motor mechanics’ award, Mr. A. Black appeared for Wellington workers, Mr. A. W. Croskery for Canterbury workers, and Mr. D. I. Macdonald for employers.