40-HOUR WEEK ON RAILWAYS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 5 October 1936, Page 5

40-HOUR WEEK ON RAILWAYS

POSITION OF FIRST DIVISION MEN GENERAL MANAGER URGES PATIENCE (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, 4th October. The Railway Department’s attitude to the 40-hour week for first division m'en was explained by the general manager, Mr'G. H. Mackley, speaking at the annual reunion of the Auckland branch of the Railway Officers’’ Institute. Mr Mackley referred to the 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 rate, and they were not being paid overtime as such for hours worked over 40. The first division men enjoyed double annual leave, sick pay, and other privileges as compared with the second division. The institute’s representatives had been asked to come back in six months’ time. He asked them to be patient and he 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 7J

Speaking of the results of the year’s working to date ,Mr Mackley said more, than half of the estimated revenue increase had been obtained in 24 weeks and there was every reason to . expect that the Department’s budgeted interest payment would be more than reached.