ANZAC DAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 April 1937, Page 6

ANZAC DAY

THE MONDAY HOLIDAY CLAUSE IN CLOTHING AWARD RATES OF PAY |B.\ Telegraph— Press Association] AUCKLAND, This Day. Female employees of R. Greer and Son, Ltd., clothing manufacturers, Auckland, who work under one of the awards in the clothing industry which prescribes that when Anzac Day fails on a Sunday the holiday be observed on the Monday following, have intimated that unless the holiday rates of pay are paid in respect of work they performed on Monday they will cease work until such payment is made. In common with other Auckland clothing manufacturers, R. Greer and Son. Ltd., did not close its factory Monday, apparently holding the opinion, which is shared by most employers affected by awards, that the Court of Arbitration had no power to fix the observance of Anzac Day on any other day than that prescribed by the Anzac Day Act and its amendment, which fix 25th April. Friday is pay day throughout the industry, so that not until then can it be definitely said that the employers will not pay holiday rates for work performed on Monday last, although it was authoritatively stated last week that many employers proposed to pay the rates prescribed for an ordinary working day and face a prosecution by the Labour Department for a breach of the award.

Negotiations are now proceeding in respect of the ultimatum given by the employees of R. Greer and Son, Ltd., and unless these are successful the matter will come to a head when wages are paid on Friday.