MOVE TO IMPOSE A 40-HOUR WEEK

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 42, 13 November 1936, Page 11

MOVE TO IMPOSE A 40-HOUR WEEK

Workers in Wool Stores

NEW ZEALAND-WIDE UNION ACTION

Although the question of hours of work in wool stores is one which, is before an uncompleted conciliation council meeting, a move was made in Wellington yesterday to bring about a five-day week of 40 hours for woolstore workers. It was said last night that similar moves are being made in all New Zealand centres. Should they be successful there will be no work done in wool stores to-morrow. The request to wool store workers “to strictly observe the 40-hour week” —issued in the case of Wellington by the secretary, Mr. John Tucker —has caused surprise among the firms affected. The employers at the conciliation council proceedings, which began in Christchurch on November 2 and eventually were adjourned to November 19, opposed the introduction of a 40-hour or a five-day week on the ground that it was impracticable, especially during the busy period of the wool season.

The published request to wool store workers states that, “the wool store .workers' of the Dominion have decided to work 40 hours on five days, Monday to Friday inclusive. . . . All wool storemen are requested to fall in with their fellow-workers.” It is pointed out that the hearing of the conciliation council dispute was adjourned expressly to enable the employees’ assessors to refer the question of hours to members of the union. Legality Questioned. Interviewed by “The Dominion last night Mr. A. E. Mabin. president of the New 'Zealand Wool Brokers’ Association, questioned the legality of the move to impose on the industry a fiveday week of 40 hours while concilia tion council proceedings with a view to the framing of a new award were in progress. The men, he said, were at present working under the IJ3I award conditions, providing, for 44 hours over six days —the minimum employers believed to be practicable in the industry. . , Speaking in conciliation council on liehalf of the union on November 2, Mr. W Miller said the men did not want to work on Saturdays. They had their hearts' set on the short, week. Moreover, their position was anomalous; there were men on the 44-hour week working beside men on the 40-hour. week. Im not trving to frighten you, Mr. Miller said, “but I think you are looking for some fun.” The employers offered a return to the 1931 hours of work; and, because they were asking the employees to accept, a 44-hour week, they offered also an increase of lid. an hour over the 1931 level of wages.

Position in Conciliation

The meeting then adjourned until the following day. when Mr.. Miller said his assessors could not at this council accept the employers' offer of a 44-hour week with the contingent rates of wages. But they were prepared to place the matter before the men and see how. far they would go. Considering that it was the Government’s intention to introduce the 40-hour week it would not be in the best interests of the men to sign up for 44 hours. Mr. Miller’s suggestion was accepted. Mr. D. I. Macdonald (employers’ assessor) said that the employers’ offer of 14d. an hour increase on the 1931 scale of wages depended on the acceptance by the union of the 44 j hour week, the 1931 provisions for overtime, holidays and special payments, and the exclusion of the head storeman from the award. In any case, the dispute could be taken to the Arbitration Court without prejudice on either side. Attitude of the Union.

It was stated last night by the secretary of the Wellington union. Mr. John Tucker, that the existing award providing for a 44-hour week had expired some time ago. It was true that, legally, this award remained in force until a new award was made, but the unions had decided to move for a shorter week. It was recognised that at the height of the wool season a five-day week presented certain difficulties. No doubt the union would be prepared to recognise this providing that a 40-hour basis were agreed upon and that wages rates were adjusted accordingly. o A peculiar position existed inasmuch as, in the case of wool store workers the employers had not applied for exemption from the 40-hour week, as provided by the Act; nor had the union applied for an adjustment of the hours provided in the existing award.