Claim for Sunday Work

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 65, 18 March 1937, Page 6

Claim for Sunday Work

CASE OF INTEREST IN MINING INDUSTRY. GREYMOUTH, Last Night. An unprecedented mining wages claim of considerable interest, in which the Rimu Flat Gold Dredging Company were the defendants, represented by Air. H. F. O’Leary, K.C., of Wellington, was heard in the Warden’s Court at Hokitika to-day by Air. Raymoml Ferner, S.M., when Charles McLean, a dredge employee, represented by Air. P. J. O’Regan, of Wellington, claimed £94 13s, allegedly due as wages for Sunday work over u period of six years. McLean claimed under Section 2tX) of the Mining Act that he was entitled to time and a-half for Sundays. The case was a test case, as 36 other employers are in a similar position. Mr. O’Regan said he did not know till recent conciliation proceedings that they were entitled to time and a-half on Sundays. Mr. O’Leary called by Mr. W. J. Radford, generul manager of the company, who claimed that the wages paid to March 31, .1934, were at a higher rate, thus compensating for Sundays, and that the £2O per month paid since included Sundays. Air. Ferner reserved his decision.