FORTY-HOUR WEEK

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1786, 26 November 1936, Page 4

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

FOR RAILWAY STAFF Changes in Matamata District To enable the 40-hour week to be brought into operation new appointments have been made to the railway staff at Matamata, Walton and Tirau.

Messrs. J. S. Murray and I. J. McIntyre, surfacemen, of Wairuna, Southland, have been promoted and stationed at Walton and Tirau respectively to relieve the tablet porters on these sections. Mr. Murray will relieve at Tirau, Ngatira and Hinuera, and Mr. Mclntyre at Walton, Waharoa and Kiwitahi, thus enabling all of these stations to be officered on the basis of 40 hours each week. For two weeks these new appointees will gain experience by working as extra hands, and the shorter week will be brought into operation at these smaller stations at the end’ of this period. Mr. F. R. Light, of Wellington, has replaced Mr. D. V. Sharkey (cadet) at Matamata, and the latter has proceeded to Henderson. Mr. Light is from the signalling branch, but is much senior to Mr. Sharkey, and as a result of his appointment the 40-hour week commenced with the clerical staff this week. All members now work only five days each week.

The position "with regard to the oritside staff at Matamata is as yet unchanged, as no additions to the staff have so far been made. The men, however, are being paid overtime on the basis of a 40-hour week.