WAGES INCREASE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22200, 10 December 1946, Page 6

WAGES INCREASE

NEW DRIVERS’ AWARD 40-HOUR FIVE-DAY WEEK (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Dec. 9. The terms of a new national award for drivers have been agreed upon at a Conciliation Council sitting. The dispute had been brought back from the Arbitration Court, and required in all five sittings of the Conciliation Council before settlement could be reached. Meanwhile evidence of unrest among drivers’ organisations ir. various parts of New Zealand over the delay had become apparent. Town Carriers’ Work Under Part 1 of the award, applying chiefly to town carriers, a 40-hour fiveday week is provided, the work to be done between 7.15 a.m. and 5.45 p.m.. Previously these drivers have observed the hours of the various houses to which they are attached, these hours totalling '4O in some cases, but more often 44. The same group receives under the new agreement a wage increase of 6s a week on a 40-hour basis. Overtime rates are at time and a half, with the hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. counting as double time. Saturday morning at time and a half, and Saturday afternoon at double lime. Under Part 2 of the award, applying mainly to country workers, the hours are to be 80 a fortnight, with provision that 48 hours may be worked in one week with a reduction to 32 in the following week without payment of overtime. The maximum daily hours are to be 10. to be worked within a span of 14 hours. Adjustment in Wages Wages under Part 2' have been adjusted in accordance with the reduction of hours. The present wages, calculated oh an 88-hour basis, are to be reduced by one-eleventh and 6s a week added. The hours may be worked between Monday and Saturday. Overtime rates have been increased by 8d an hour over the present rate. The wage rates when adjusted will mean an increase to those who are on a 40-hour week at present, but a reduction to those on the 44-hour week. The wage rates are to take effect from to-day.