TIMBER INDUSTRY

Grey River Argus, 15 January 1944, Page 2

TIMBER INDUSTRY

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PAY *

(To the Editor). Sir, —My attention has been drawn to a statement published in your issue of Sth of January 1944 by Mr. F. Turley. Secretary of the Westland Branch of the N.Z. Timber Workers' Union relating to “holiday pay” in the timber industry for the recent Christmas holiday period. Mr. Tiirley explained the provisions of the Industrial Rest Period Regulations 1943, and stated that “the qualifying period provided under the award does not apply." , I would point out however, that Mr. Turley’s interpretation of the position is entirely inicorrect. not only as regards the actual dates mentioned in his statement, but as regards the whole position. The Industrial Rest Period Regulations 1943, provide that those regulations apply to all workers employed under any award or industrial agreement, etc., who:— ; “(a) Are not entitled under the terms of ■ their employment to an annual holliday on pay of not less than five working days.” But whel-eas the N.Z. Timber Workers’ Award provides for an annual holida\y period on pay comprising “the /working days between Boxing Day lend New Year’s Day,’ and such worming days on this occasion covered \the period 27th to 31st. December 11943 . inclusive (i.e. five working dass), timber workers were already provided with the five working days’ annual holiday on this occasion. Cohsetauently the Industrial Rest Period Emergency Regulations 1943 hfed no application whatever to worker® under the N.Z. Timber Workers’ Award, and the provisions and qualifications for the

annual holiday under the award remained fullv effective as thougn the Industrial Rest Period Emergency Regulations 1943 had not been promulgated. I would further point out that this Interpretation of the position is supported and endorsed by the Officers of the Head Office of the Labour Department; and if there should be any local doubt on the matter, an enquiry to the District Inspector of Factories for Westland would, I think, confirm my statement. I am, etc.. > ARTHUR SEED, Secretary. N.Z. Sawmillers’ and Boxmakers’ Industrial Union of Employers.