FORESTRY STAFF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23134, 5 September 1938, Page 12

FORESTRY STAFF

DISCONTENT IN CAMPS STATEMENT BY WORKER WAGES AND LOST TIME ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT Discontent among the workers employed by the State Forest Service, more especially at the camps on the Kaingatoa Plains, is alleged by one of the men, who signs himself "Forestry Sufferer," in a letter to the Hkrald. He contrasts the rates of pay which prevailed prior to July 11 with those ruling to-day. "Workers were previously paid los a day for five days a week, and, if any time was lost during the week, one could work four hours on the Saturday to make it up," he states. "Owing to the wet weather, the days lost in a week were equal to those worked and the men complained of the miserable wage they wore receiving. 'J hus, a new agreement was sought which would provide for a weekly wage of £4 5s for wet and dry days. Payment o 1 Cooks

"At that time the State paid the cook and assistant cook's wages, leaving the men to pay only for their meals. The cost varied in different camps, but a fair indication was about 18s a week. Our claim was discussed and we were granted £4 a week, but the time lost was to he made up on Saturday mornings on a four-weekly cycle. For inBtance; if there should be one wet day in a week, the workers are required to work for the next two Saturday mornings to make up the eight hours, even if the succeeding week should be fully worked —surely a greit advertisement for Labour's policy of a 40-hour week and free week-ends.

"Now we have received a bombshell.' The State has no longer the cook and his assistant in its employ and it is now a matter left in our hands,"

the correspondent continues. "With a rise of Is a day, Ave have to account for their wages. A remit was forwarded to the Cabinet, the Prime Minister and the Minister in charge of the Forestry Department in an endeavour to persuade the State to retain their services, but the request was refused.

Handicap of Union "Our union, the New Zealand Workers' Union, is under a great handicap inasmuch as we cannot gei consideration from the Arbitration Court. Yet the' workers ?mployed by Perpetual Forests receive 18s 8d a day from the Court and the employers have to abide bv this ruling. Being Government employees, we take what we are given without an opinion of the Court.

"The Government makes private en-terprise-par decent wages and provide good, conditions, but it is very backward when it is the State that has to pay," lie adds. "Has Mr. Langstone ever been familiar with the type of work and conditions under which the men are labouring? Perhaps he will be wishing very shortly that he had taken a little more human interest in the Forestry Department. It is not so long since .men were working and complaining under a Tory Government, out I very much doubt if conditions were than at present under a so-called 'working man's Government.' "