40-hour Week on Railways

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 235, 5 October 1936, Page 6

40-hour Week on Railways

Position of First Division Men GENERAL MANAGER URGES PATIENCE Tor Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The Railway Department’s attitude to the 40-hour week 'for first division men was explained by the general manager, Mr. G. 11. Mackley, speaking at tike annual reunion of the Auckland branch of the Railway Officers’ Institute. Mr. Mackley referred to tho advantage of continuous employment the railwaymen enjoyed and quoted figures to show the progress in wages since 1911. Introducing the 40-hour week was a big task and would cost £289,000 this year in addition to £197,000 for wage restorations. It had never been understood that a 40-hour week was to be introduced in the first year. Although the first division had not got it 100 per cent they were getting it as quickly as possible. Of 3000 first division men 1800 were now enjoying the 40-hour week or less. The second division men were in a different position as they were paid at an hourly fate and they were not being paid overtime as such for hours worked over 40. The first divisiou men enjoyed double annual leave, sick pay, and other privileges as compared with tho second divisiou. The institute’s representatives had been asked to come back in six months' time. He asked them to be patient and ho was sure they were losing nothing. Meantime the regrading that had been awaited for some time was being gone into immediately. Regarding goodwill promotions, while he could make no promises he would see if something could not be done in this year’s classification to help out some of those at the top of grade 7. (Speaking of the results of the year’s working to date Mr. Mackley’ said more than, half of tho estimated revenue increase had been obtained in 24 weeks and there was every reason to expect that th Department’s budgeted interest payment would be more than reached.