FORTY-HOUR WEEK

Evening Star, Issue 22277, 2 March 1936, Page 13

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT BASIC WAGE STILL UNDETERMINED [F*it United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 29. : Details of the agreement reached between the. New Zealand Workers’ Union and the Public Works Department were announced by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, to-day. Mr Semple stated that the question of the basic wage was still undetermined, but the employees of the Public Works Department had been.granted a 40-hour week as against 47 ivorked previously. It was 'alsp agreed that no differentiation be made between married and single men -or Maori workers, who were all placed on the same rate of pay.- Preference had been given to members of the New Zealand Workers’ Union. Provision was made for the of expenses of men going- to jdfe and the transference of workers from one job to another. J : An agreement had been reached whereby - anv dispute arising would be dealt with first by the district engineer,- secondly by the engineer-in-chief. Public Works Department, and-finally by the Minister- The workers agreed that pending a settlement -of a _ dispute they would remain on their jobs* Another feature, was fortnightly pay** ments instead of monthly. The ques» tion of accommodation wag being considered. . ■ " The agreement was the insult of a, conference in Wellington during the past two days. . -