SYDNEY EMPLOYERS SEEK RELIEF FROM AWARD RESTRICTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 May 1949, Page 7

SYDNEY EMPLOYERS SEEK RELIEF FROM AWARD RESTRICTIONS

SYDNEY, May 24 (Rec. 9 a.m'.).— The Metal Trades Employers’ Association has filed an application with the Commonwealth Arbitration Court for relief from award restrictions and penalty rates that might be incurred by efforts to save electricity. .Y'F.D The application seeks permission to pay ordinary rates to employees* for forty hours of work weekly, irrespective of the times during which the work is done. -

Because of the acute shortage of. power, industry is committed to 30 per cent power cut, the working of which has been left to individual; firms. The solution sought by- employers is to stagger their working; hours to take full advantage of the off-peak periods, including mights anct week-ends.

The acting secretary of the Statebranch of the Federated Engine-, drivers’ and Firemen’s Association (Mr A. Richards) said that a crisis was likely in the metal trades industry if employees were stood down without pay in the black-outs or to meet the power regulations. The Director of the Chamber of Manufacturers of New South Wales (Mr C. R. Hall) said that-the chamber would apply soon for a variation in awards to meet the power cuts. Inspectors from variousTpower supply authorities will policeffhe cuts.which will operate from June 1.