PIECE WORKERS’ WAGES

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 10

PIECE WORKERS’ WAGES

APPEAL AGAINST DECISION TO BE CONSIDERED BY DEPARTMENT UNION TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING The question of' an appeal against the piece work wages decision of Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., is to be considered by the Labour Department. “ If the department does not make an appeal, the union will do so,” stated Mr W. W. Batchelor, secretary of the Otago Woollen Mill Employees’ Union, to-day. It should be pointed out, however, that the union was not a party to the case decided by the magistrate, and therefore cannot move to upset the decision. “ The judgment nullifies the legislation, the intention of which was to make the wages the same in the 40-hour week as they were in the 45-hour week,” said Mr Batchelor. “ If the attitude of the employers is continued, the only thing to do will be to eliminate piece work. Whether or not piece work is to be done will be discussed at the next meeting of the union, and, if it is decided to cut it out, the employers will be the losers.” _ The effect of the decision was that time workers were receiving an advance of approximately 12$ per cent, on their wages on account of the vvorking hours being reduced from 45 hours to 40 hours weekly, while piece workers remained on the same rate per piece. By the introduction, of the shorter working hours the piece worker was prevented from making the same amount of money as previously.

“ Action is being taken by the Labour Department with the intention of making an appeal against the decision, which is of vital importance to all piece workers throughout the Dominion,” said Mr Batchelor. “If the Labour Department does not make an appeal we will do so. No matter what is done, the question will be placed in the hands of the Federation or Labour, which has many piece workers among its membership of 200,000. If we fail on appeal we will press for the legislation to be so amended as to carry out the, originally expressed intentions.”

Mr G. P. Grieve, officer in charge of the Labour Department, informed a ‘ Star ’ reporter that the question of an appeal would have to be decided by the department’s officials in Wellington.

No date lias yet been fixed for the special meeting of the Woollen Mills Employees’ Union.