DEFENCE WORKERS

Grey River Argus, 5 April 1943, Page 6

DEFENCE WORKERS

TO WORK FIVE-DAY WEEK. PA.' AUCKLAND. March 31. 'it is stated that as from to-mor-row all workers covered by the Defence Works Labour Suspension Order 1942, and its amendments will go on a five-day week. At present they are on a five and a-half day week of 48 hours, based on eight and three-quarter hours from Monday to Friday inclusive, and four and aquarter hours on Saturday. The amendment will keep the hours to 48 but Will place each day on a basis of’nine hours 36 minutes, with. overtime remaining the same, that is, for time worked in excess of eight and three-quarter hours. The new hours are stated to be as agreed upon by the Commissioner of Defence Construction (Mr J. Fletcher) and local labour defence committees. The reasons advanced in Auckland included the reduction of the defence .programme, the desire to avoid an important cause of absenteeism, the removal of part of the travelling time for the short hours worked on Saturday, and the creation of an opportunity for workers to have a full week-end off duty. It was added that those responsible for the decision were aware that there would soon be insufficient daylight for such workers as painters, carpenters and electricians on outdoor jobs to work nine hours 36 minutes a day, but that when this became so the hours would be reviewed. , When workers employed on defence construction were first placed under the Labour Legislation Suspension Order by regulations brought down in March, 1942, the weekly hours of work were 54 for six days a week 1 , and overtime was payable for work in excess of nine hours a dav. An amendment issued in June, 1942, placed them on a 47-hour week, to be worked over five and a-half days, with overtime payable when work exceeded eight and three-quar-ter hours a day.