Forty-four Hour Week

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 243, 27 September 1922, Page 5

Forty-four Hour Week

EXTENSION OPPOSED BY STRIKES. ENGINEERS CEASE WORK. UNIVERSAL MOVEMENT PROBABLE. [By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.] Sydney, Sept. 26. A number of engineers at the Newcastle steel works ceased work on Monday afternoon and refused to start to-day. An extension of the trouble is feared, but no further action will be taken till the Council of Action meets on Wednesday and discusses the dispute. Perth, Sept. 26. The unions are bitterly opposing the return to the 48-hour week and state that they are determined to finish work at the usual 44 hours time. The engineers threaten to strike and have called a meeting to make a final decision on the question. SCHEME TO CRIPPLE THE INDUSTRIES. IF WORKING HOURS ARE INCREASED. A number of proposals for the crippling and disorganisation of industries in the event of the introduction of a 48 hours’ week were adopted at a meeting of the Emergency Council of Action held at the Sidney Trades Hall. This body was recently formed at a conference of New South Wales trades unions for the purpose of acting m conjunction with the Council of Action, and to frame a scheme to combat wage rate reductions and lengthening of hours. The Emergency Council decided to call together the industrial groups, and to recommend the various groups and unions that in the event of 48 hours being either directly by a Government Act or through the Court, they should endorse the following policy t or such part of it as would be suitable to the union or group concerned:—“Refusal to work more than 44 hours per week by refusing to work on Saturday ; that in the event of 48 hours being imposed, the union or group refuse to work overtime.” The Emergency Council also decided to submit the following questions to the unions:— “Will your group or union allow the campaign on wages and hours to be directed by the Council of Action? “Will your union or gioup go slow as a means of harassing the employers in ih e event of othex groups being out resisting the 48-hour week, if directed by the Council of Action ? “Will your union or group, assist any union resisting wage reduction or increase of hours, as directed by the Council of Action'?” A motfon was carried to the effect that each union he asked to contribute 3d per member to the Council of Action. The following industrial groups were represented at the Emergency Council meeting: Building trades, iron trades, miscellaneous group, food group, and Newcastle district. A representative of the Council of Action was in attendance by invitation.