NO COMPLAINTS NOW

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 94, 18 October 1934, Page 4

NO COMPLAINTS NOW

AERODROME RATES OF PAY

"Since the work was resumed on the present basis, no complaints have been made regarding the contract -prices by tho men employed at the Hobsonville Aerodrome. • They appear to be quite contented, .and there have been no difficulties whatsoever with them," said tho Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. Bitchener) in the House of Representatives last, night when replying to Opposition criticism. Mr. Bitchener said that as from October 1 a special arrangement had been made to provide for a 5 per cent, increase in the co-operative prices, thus basing the contracts on 10s 6d a day, which would be the rate for day work. Work was. resumed on September 17 on the co-operative contract system with prices based on 10s a day for a full working week, weather permitting. On that date 35 men started. Now there were 104 men employed, the, job being fully manned. One day was lost through wet weather during the first pay period—a fortnight—which ended on September 29. The 55 men camped on the job mad© up lost time. Those travelling by bus, 30, were unable to do so. No time had been lost through wet weather since September 29. The men had been working 47 hours a week, but would be given the opportunity of working 48 hours if they wished. They received a "get-fit" allowance of 12 per cent, on the contract prices for tho first month, and 6 per cent, for the second month. The first, measure-up was made on September 29. This was for a fortnight's work in the case of the men who restarted on September 17. Average daily earnings of the co-operative contract parties were at tho rates of 12s 2Jd,'lls 7d, lls 2d, 10s 54d, 10s 4d, 3s 4d, 10s (two parties), 9s lid, 3s 4d, 9s lljd, 9s 6Jd, 8s OJd per day respectively. Tho average for all parties waa ilOs. Bi&. The second measureup wgpld^be on October .20.. M TherMinistcr stated; that in common with men on other full-time Public Works jobs, they would receive the 5 per cent, increase in pay. "The fact that ample labour is offering," said Mr. Bitchener, "is proof that tho men are contented and satisfied with the contract prices. The complaints received by members of Parliament would appear to relate to the period when the work was on the old basis."