AWARD VARIATIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20507, 18 March 1941, Page 4

AWARD VARIATIONS

APPLICATIONS TO MINISTER PROCEDURE OUTLINED “It has been brought to my notice that misunderstanding exists concerning the functions of the Industrial Emergency Council,” said the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in Wellington. “The council was set up to advise me on any matters arising out of the war emergency pertaining to my office. “The Labour Legislation Emergency Regulations, 1940, give me power to vary the provisions of any award or agreement if it appears to me necessary for maintaining supplies and services essential to the life of the community. The council has recommended me in a number of cases to vary awards, and in instances where applications have been declined by on the recommendation of the council no evidence was disclosed that variation of award conditions was necessary.

“Many applications made to me for variation of conditions prescribed by awards have not been supported with the necessary information to enable the council to make its recommendation,” the Minister continued. In considering an application for variation of an award it was necessary for the council to have regard not only to the wishes of the individual firm concerned and its employees, but to many other matters which had a direct bearing on the problem.

“If those who are experiencing difficulty in maintaining production under present award conditions desire their case to be considered,” Mr. Webb said, “they should place the case in the hands of their organisation and arrange for the proper presentation of the facts to the council at a hearing which would be arranged upon formal application being made. Further, the workers’ union concerned should be advised of the wish of the employers and served with copies of the proposals made to the council.”