UNIVERSAL HOURS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22516, 5 September 1936, Page 16

UNIVERSAL HOURS

AIM OF THE UNION

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY

The statement made by a representative of tho chain and department stores that 80 per cent of the members of the Auckland Grocers' Assistants' Union wcro employed by tho chain stores is contradicted by Miss L. Purcell, secretary to the union, who assesses the percentage at probably 45, and says she is at a loss to know how the chain stores' representative arrived at his conclusion. The union is pressing for a universal schedule of hours for grocery stores. "The union represents all grocers' assistants in the northern industrial district," said Miss Purcell, "and these assistants are employed by all classes of shops, both chain stores and others. The union is neither a chain stores employees' association, nor is it one for employees of individual grocers." Miss Purcell said she had rioted the statement that there was a movement in trades union circles to induce the Government to regulate 'shop hours. For some months past the Auckland Grocers' Assistants' Union had asked the Government for legislation providing for universal opening and closing hours. If that were clone everyone would be brought into line and shopping hours regulated, to the benefit of everyone. It was hoped that in the near future the union's endeavours would bo successful. "A 3 a union representative of workers in both classes of business," said Miss Purcell, "we do not wish to enter into a controversy. It must be said, however, that we do not take sides with either section of employers, but we consider it our duty to adopt a principle which suits the assistants."