FORTY-FOUR HOUR WEEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19221, 9 January 1926, Page 9

FORTY-FOUR HOUR WEEK

MANY DISPUTES ARISING. QUESTION OF FEDERAL AWARDS. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Jan. 8. The Arbitration Court has decided that workers in the metal trade industry, who are governed by a Federal award, are not entitled to participate in the benefits of the Forty-four Hours Week Act that has been passed by the New South Wales Parliament. Tho Judge added that the question whether State legislation should override Federal awards would have to bo facsd, and it was open to employees to test what rights they might have under tho Forty-four Hours Week Act. A dispute has occurred at Metter'?' stove works where members of the Amalgamated Engineers' Union who work under Federal awards are claiming overtime for work done in excess of 44 hours. The management refused, and a stoppage of the works is likely, ' Men are making similar demands on other firms. All employers whoso men are working under Federal awards intend to test the constitutionality of the Forty-four. Hours Week. Act, stating that men must be governed by Federal awards which provide a 48 hour week. At a meeting of delegates from a large number of .unions working under Federal awards it ,was decided to ask tho Premier, Mr. Lang, to prosecute all employers who decline to grant the 44 hour week and its benefits. , Failing action being taken by tho Government it was agreed that a test case should bo taken to Court, and. that all unions should contribute toward the legal costs. In tho event of the unions succeding in securing a 44 hour week it was decided that the State Government should be asked to refund all. expenses incurred in taking tho matter to Court. HIGHER HOTEL CHARGES. TEN PER CENT. INCREASE. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Jan. 8. As the result of a 44-hour week, hotelkeepers have decided to increase tho general tariff charges 10 per cent. Tho price of liquor will not be affected.