Gasworkers' Secret Ballot Averted

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1948, Page 2

Gasworkers' Secret Ballot Averted

AUCKLAND, Tue. (Sp.).—The order modifying the provisions of the Factories Act, in respect of payment for work on Sundays and holidays in coal gasworks, has been revoked. As a result of this announcement by the Minister of Labour (Mr McLagan) a secret ballot among Auckland gasworkers, to determine whether they were prepared to work during the Easter holidays, was averted. The revocation order which will be gazetted this week and will come into force next Friday will -restore to gasworkers the payment under the Act of double time on Sundays and holidays and, in addition in the case of holidays, payment for the holiday. Auckland workers are mainly affected by the holiday provisions of the revocation order, as their award already grants them double time for Sunday work instead of the payment of time and a half provided in the modifying award. The secretary of the Auckland union (Mr J. Kane) said the matter had been the subject of peaceful negotiations for two and a half years with the late Minister of Labour (Mr O’Erien) and with Mr McLagan, first in his position as president of the Federation of Labour and later in his present capacity as Minister of Labour.

. The union’s request had been met and the meeting had been cancelled.