DEVIATION EMPLOYEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 102, 30 March 1929, Page 8

DEVIATION EMPLOYEES

DOUBLE SHIFT ENDED. TERMINATION OF WORK. Many employees on the railway deviation at Palmerston North may shortly have to seek other work as the result of the double shift ending on Thursday last. The two shifts were brought into operation at the beginning of October for tlie summer work, but when the men resume again on Tuesday after their holiday, only one shift is to be worked from 7.30 o’clock in the morning until 4.30 o’clock in the afternoon. The decision affects about 80 men who are employed on the two shifts which have been terminated, but every effort will be made to keep them in employment as long as possible on other work nt the deviation. Previously, the shift commenced at 3.30 o’clock in the morning and continued until noon. The second shift then took over and worked from noon until 8.30 p.m. In addition to this, a number of workers went on at 7.30 a.m. and stopped at 4.30 the hours which are apparently to be made general after Tuesday. The matter is obviously a serious one for those engaged in the shifts concerned, owing to the approach of winter. The Palmerston North branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union is taking steps to endeavour to have the men placed in other employment. The Mapor (Mr A. J. Graham) informed a “Standard” reporter that he was investigating the position.