OPERATIVE BAKERS' HOURS.

Evening Star, Issue 7628, 2 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

OPERATIVE BAKERS' HOURS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l see that the operative bakers are trying to get eight hours a day, in place of ten that they work just now, and that the two hours they want off is to come off in the morning. Now, I have no objection to the bakers getting eight hours a day, but seeing that they now start at four o'clock in the morning, and the first batch of bread cannot be got out much before hplf-past eight, and very often nine o'clock, I hope and trust that unless the master bakers make arrangements for the bread that is baked to-day to be delivered next day they will not allow the present morning system to be altered, but, instead, if they are going to give their men eight hours, let the two hours come off in the afternooon. I cannot see what injustice will thus be done to the bakers. But on the other hand, if they are allowed to start at five or six in the morning a great injustice will then be done to the vanmen, who, as it is, have not only to work ten hours a day, but thirteen and fourteen every day, with hardly an hour out of that for dinner. The bakers as it is have a few hours to themselves on an afternoon, but the vanmen have not. They go to the stable at half-past six, and never later than seven o'clock, and get home again at from halfpast seven till half-past eight at night; and by the time they have had tea it is time to retire to rest again. So again I say, if the bakers are allowed to start at either five or six a great and cruel injustice will be done to the vanmen. It is in the master bakers' hands, and I trust they will keep the morning hours as they are, and we poor vanmen, that have so many hours to trot about in all kinds of weather and pitch dark nights, and very often in the winter time in well-soaked clothes, will for ever bless them.—l am, etc., Vanman. Dunedin, May 30,