ADJUSTING HOURS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22489, 5 August 1936, Page 14

ADJUSTING HOURS

HARBOUR BOARD STAFF SATURDAY WORK QUESTION NO DECISION REACHED The adjustment of the hours of employees of the Auckland Harbour Board to bring them into lino with recent legislation formed the subject of a motion brought forward by the chairman, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, at a meeting of tho board yesterday. Tho chairman moved that in cases where tho working hours of harbour board employees were appreciably in excess of -10 a week the acting-superin-tendent be authorised to make such adjustments as might be necessary to bring them into lino with the intention of recent industrial legislation. Mr. J. B. Donald asked if the motion meant that there would be no Saturday work. The chaiiynan said he felt there would have to be work on Saturday, but the board would endeavour to avoid anything in the way of overtime and increasing the staff. Governed by Waterslders The acting-superfatendent, Mr. D. Ilolderness, explained that the position would be largely governed by the hours finally prescribed for waterside workers. If the Arbitration Court fixed tho hours at 44 tho board would not bo able to put forward a substantial case for a longer week. Undoubtedly shipping companies would have to work on Saturday, whatever it cost in overtime. Mr. M. H. Wynyard said that until the board knew the hours fixed for waterside workers it woidd be hard to fix a particular time for its men. He asked what expenditure the adjustments would involve. Further Consideration The chairman said the matter had been gone into closely, alul it was hoped tlie board would not be affected at all if these adjustments could be made. The matter had been discussed at the harbour boards' conference in Wellington, and it was possible that tho Harbour Boards' Association might apply for registration of its employees. The motion was one to enable the actingsuperintendent to make adjustments as they arose from time to time. Mr. Donald expressed the opinion that the motion needed more discussion by the board in committee, and lie was supported by Mr. A. S. Sutherland, who said it was a very important and far-reaching matter. Mr. J. Savegh said tho power to adjust the hours had to be given to somebody, and there was no harm in it.

It was decided to refer the matter to the board in committee.