BAKEHOUSE WAGES
EARLY START HOURS HIGH OVERTIME PAYMENT RATE CONSIDERED UNJUST ATTITUDE OF EMPLOYERS Because they consider a wage of 6s 3d an hour for time worked before 4 a.m. to bo unjust, and that in any case their businesses will not stand such a high rate of payment, a number of bakers are reported to be refusing to pay the wage. It is understood that they have been advised that unless such rates are paid, prosecuvons are likely. . \ The situation has arisen as a result of a ruling by Mr. S. Ritchie, Conciliation Commissioner in Wellington, in his assessment of the 1931 rates of wages that must be restored under tho Finance Act. In 191)1 work before 4 a.m. was called overtime, it was explained by a baker, and 4s an hour was the full payment for the work. This rate was subsequently reduced in further awards, and in the 1935 award, 0d an hour additional to the normal rate of wages was imposed for work before 4 a:m - The Conciliation Commissioner ruled that the 4s an hour paid in 1931 must be added to the ordinary rate of 2s 3d an hour, which made a total of 6s 3d, Most large bakeries start work before midnight on ordinary nights and about p.m. on Friday nights, so that the 1931 impost meant a big increase in wages. It was .stated that master '-<>rs felt it was an anomaly to im-
. aid, for the basis of payment had been entirely altered since 1931. Under the 1931' rates, superimposed upon the 1935 award conditions, employees could earn from £9 to £l4 a week. In a 'statement after the decision mentioned by the Conciliation Commissioner, the secretary of the union, Mr. E. J. Watson, who is now in Wellington in connection with claims for a new award, said the workers did not want the extra money, but were strongly in favour of 6 a.m. being the starting time. In view of the official ruling, the men expected to be paid accordingly.
The question of the starting time will presumably be settled by the Arbitration Court when issuing a Dominion award.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 15
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358BAKEHOUSE WAGES New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 15
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