A SHORTER WEEK

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 98, 22 October 1924, Page 7

A SHORTER WEEK

FORTY-FOUR HOURS

RESULT OF A.S.R.S. BALLOT.

The ballot taken among members of i the A.S.R.S., employed in the locomotive, signalling, and maintenance workshops on the question of weekly hours of work that the railwaymen concerned (2852 ballot papers being returned out of 3242 issued) favour the 44-hour week by a majority of 1469 votes. The issues placed before the men were:— (a) A 44-hour week, with overtime at rate and a. half for all time worked in excess of eight hours on each of the first five days of the week, and four on Saturday. The hourly rates of wages to remain as at present, and a guarantee to be given of 44 hours pay weekly. (b) A 48-hour week, with overtime at rate and a half for all time worked in excess of eight "hours and three-quar* ters, on each of the first five days, of the week, and four hours and a quarter on Saturday. The hourly rates of wages to remain as at present, and a guarantee to be given of 48 hours' pay weekly. , . The ballot was taken under the super- j vision . of- the Department of Labour, i The results in full detail were"':— Total ballot-papers issued ... 3242 Total ballot-papers a-eturned 2862 Total votes for 44 hours 2151 Total votes for 48 hours 682 Informal votes 29 1 Majority for 44 hours ».....-... 1469 j ! Asked if he had any comment to make on the result of the ballot, the Minister of Railways- (Hon.. J. G. Coates) said: "The. employees have had their opportunity, as the result of the' recommendation .of the. Wages Board, which the Government adopted. They have made a decision, and their wishes will be given effect to."