Overtime Proposal For Plumbers

Northern Advocate, 28 October 1949, Page 9

Overtime Proposal For Plumbers

WELLINGTON, Fri.. (P.A.).— Proposals to extend overtime hours which plumbers’ apprentices may work were submitted today to the Arbitration Court, which reserved its decision on the application. The New Zealand Plumbing and Gas-fitting Industry Apprenticeship Committee applied for an amendment to the present apprenticeship order to allow apprentices under 18 to work country districts, with the proviso that parents should have the right to object.

For the New Zealand Fededation of Master Plumbers. Mr C. Harris said tlie existing clause in the order was restrictive and inconvenient, particularly to small firms in country districts.

Plumbers were faced with an accumulated backlog of work, estimated at from two to three years, said Mr Harris, and hampered as they were with various controls and shortages, there was a general feeling of frustration at being unable to get on with the job. The union opposed the scheme, said Mr H. Thompson, for the workers. More overtime would be detrimental to the health of apprentices because it would mean working an excessive number of hours—up to 56 a week, submitted Mr Thompson.