OVERTIME RATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23995, 19 June 1941, Page 10

OVERTIME RATES

ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES MINISTER'S STATEMENT A statement by the acting-Prime Minister, the lion. \Y. Nasli. as reported in the Labour paper, the Standard, that overtime was payable in industries at time and a-quarter rates has created considerable surprise in industrial and other circles. It has been generally understood that the lowest rates for overtime under industrial awards in practically all industries is time and a-half.

| According to the report, Mr. Nasli, i when replying to Opposition suggestions J during the debate in the House of Representatives on the Imprest Supply Hill that" extended hours should be worked in essential industries stated: "Extra production will come from the •IS hours if 10 hours are paid for at the ordinary rates of pay and eight hours are paid for at time and a-quartcr, to the same extent as if the -IS hours were worked at ordinary rates of pay." On inquiry yesterday in authoritative circles it. was stated that in none of the chief industries engaged on war work is overtime payable at less than time and a-hall. "In the engineering trade, covering practically all the metal trades, the award provides for time and a-half," stated an authority. The same conditions governed the timber trade and the production of clothing, boots and biscuits.

I*or some months last year a suspension order had been in effect in regard to the production of milk cans "and essential dairying plant. The normal working week under the tinsmiths' award was 40 hours and time and a-half was payable for all hours worked in. excess of >lO between Monday and Friday. The order provided that eight hours could bo worked on Saturdays and be paid at the rate of time and nf)iiarter after 55 hours hat! been worked (rom Mondays to Fridays inclusive, and those in excess oi 40 had been paid for at the rate of time and a-half stipulated in the award. This condition had applied in the industry from August 10, 1910. to November ISO. 19-10,' in relation to the production of milk and cream cans and similar dairying industry plant and equipment.