FIVE-DAY WEEK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 283, 13 November 1936, Page 7

FIVE-DAY WEEK

Wool-Store Workers Seek to Improve Conditions FIRMS SURPRISED By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 12. Although the question of hours of work in wool stores is now before an uncompleted Conciliation Council meeting, a move was made in Wellington to-day to bring about a five-day week of 40 hours for wool-store workers.' It was said to-night that similar moves were being made in all Now Zealand centres. Should they be successful there will bo no work in wool stores on Saturday.

A request to wool-store workers “strictly to observe the 40-hour week” issued in the case of Wellington by the secretary has caused surprise among firms affected. The employers at the Conciliation Council proceedings, which began in Christchurch on November 2 and eventually were adjourned to November 19, opposed the introduction of a 40-hour or five-day week on the ground that it was impracticable. It is pointed out that the hearing of the Conciliation Council dispute was adjourned expressly to enable the employees’ assessors to refer the question of hours to members of the union.

Interviewed to-night, Mr A. E. Mabin, president of the New Zealand Wool-Brokers ’ Association, questioned the legality of the move to impose on the industry a five-day week of 40 hours while Conciliation Council proceedings with a view to framing a new award were in progress. The men, he said, were at present working under 1931 award conditions providing for 44 hours over six days, the minimum the employers believed to be practicable.