RATES FOR CASUAL WORK

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

RATES FOR CASUAL WORK

Relation to Basic Wage

COURT’S INTERPRETATION IN MAKING AWARD

'The relation between wage rales for casual work and the recently-fixed basic wage is set out in a memorandum attached to the Wellington drug, chemical, condiment, sauce and pickle workers’ award, issued by the Arbitration Court. The memorandum states:—

The award fixes the rate of wages for casual workers at 2/6 per hour for adult male workers and 1/3 per hour for adult female workers. The fixation of a basic rate of wages does not mean that casual workers covered by this award must be paid not less than £3/16/- aud £l/16/- respectively for each week iu which any work is done by them. They are entitled to be paid 2/6 and 1/3 per hour respectively for the number of hours actually worked by them.

The clauses not agreed upon in conciliation council are fixed in the award as follows:—Wages: Males, adult, £4 5/- per week;" juniors, starting rate 15/- with half-yearly 5 increments of 4/- for the first three years. Thereafter half-yearly increments of 5/- a week until the age of 21 years is reached: provided that if juniors are over the age of 17 when starting the starting rate shall be 20/- with 4/- increments every six months for the first three years and thereafter half-yearly increments of 5/-. Females, adult, £2/2/6 per week; juniors, commencing rate 15/-, with half-yearly increments of 4/- for the first three years. Thereafter halfyearly increments of 2/6 until the adult rate is reached. Employment: The employment shall be deemed to be weekly employment. Not less than seven days’ notice shall be given by either party of the termination of employment, except in the case of casual workers.

Right of entry to premises: The secretary or other authorised officer of the union of workers shall, with the consent of the employer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), be entitled to enter at all reasonable times upon the premises or works, and there interview any workers, but not so as to interfere unreasonably with the employer’s business.

A special memorandum of agreement with respect to margarine factories was filed by the parties subsequent to the conciliation proceedings, as follows: —

(a) In the case of margarine manufacturers 40 hours may be worked in eight-hour shifts between midnight on Sunday and 8 a.m. on the following Saturday, (b) Male workers employed on night shifts shall, while so employed, be paid 2/- per shift over and above the rate for such workers provided for in clause 2 of the agreement—i.e., £4 5/- per week.