WOOLLEN MILLS AWARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 November 1940, Page 9

WOOLLEN MILLS AWARD

CASE FOR THE EMPLOYERS.

[per press association.]

WELLINGTON, November 28

The hearing of an application by the New Zealand Federated Woollen Mills and Hosiery Factories’ Employees’ Industrial Association of Workers for a new award was continued before the Court of Arbitration to-day. Mr. A. S. Cookson, of Dunedin, secretary of the New Zealand Woollen Mill Owners’ Association, who is appearing for the employers, said in his opening address that though it was little more than two years since the award had been made, after an exhaustive hearing by the Court, occupying four full days, the .workers in their claims had asked for variations in all but minor and unimportant clauses. “I submit that normally there has been no change in the circumstances of industry- or, as perhaps might more correctly be stated, in the processes of manufacture,” said Mr. Cookson, “to justify any material alteration from the conditions prescribed by the last award; but the abnormal conditions arising first from import restrictions imposed in 1938, which greatly increased demands on the industry for the supply of civilian requirements, but mainly from the fact that the Empire is at war, does fully justify the employers’ claim for an extension of hours for the period of the war at ordinary rates of pay.” Since the outbreak of war the mills had been called on, and had cheerfully undertaken, the task of providing enormous quantities of military ;., and Air Force materials, said Mr. rCookson. The working of overtime had resulted in a substantial increase in manufacturing costs; but no request had been made to the Government for any advance in prices to cover that. The employers considered that it was not unreasonable in the circumstances that workers engaged in the industry should be asked to assist in the production of those military requirements by giving an extra four hours labour at ordinary rates of pay. If an extension of hours was granted it was desired that the extra four hours should be spread over the first five days of the week, still leaving Saturday free to the workers. Discussing the employers’ counterproposal that overtime rates should not be payable till a worker had completed 44 hours’ work in a week in which any* work was done outside ordnary hours, Mr. Cookson said it had been found that female workers in particular, having worked, some overtime in one part of the week, absented themselves on other working days. Whether they realised it or not, it had to be recognised that by such a practice the workers were doing th eir employer a serious injustice. Evidence would be called to show that the practice was increasing. Mr. Cookson submitted that there could be no justification for any wage increases over and above the standard rates for adult males as fixed by the Court in the present award, plus 5 per cent, increase made by the general order of August. Anyaclaim for a further increase in wages because of the increased cost of living was met by the fact that the Court had, by its general order, already granted a compensating increase in all rates of remuneration.

“Seeing that this industry is of the most vital importance to the/ Dominion and to the Empire, because it is taxed to its utmost capacity to provide essentially necessary military equipment,” said Mr. Cookson, “the Court should grant an extension of hours specifically for the period of the war.”