FOOTWEAR TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24135, 29 November 1941, Page 13

FOOTWEAR TRADE

HOURS AND OUTPUT UNION OFFICERS* VIEWS RECENT CLAIMS RECALLED , "There are not two factories in Auckland working 40 hours a week on the production of military footwear, and many factories are not producing military work," says a joint statement made yesterday by Mr. A. Watts, national secretary of the Boot Trades Union, and Mr. D. J. Morey, president of the Auckland Operative Bootmakers' Union. Their statement, which adds that quotas for military work given to most factories represent about 25 per cent military work and 75 per cent civilian, follows remarks attributed to Mr. S. Edwards, president of the footwear group of the Manufacturers' Association, before the Armed Forces Appeal Board recently. It claims that Mr. Edwards' remarks were misleading. "It is true that in Australia a 52hour week is being worked," the joint statement says. "In Australia the Government has ordered manufacturers who have the necessary plant to work it for 52 hours, including overtime, on military footwear. Hours of labour are not affected by regulation, but are provided for in the award. We suggest that, since Australia has been cited as an example for New Zealand, the Government should see that manufacturers use their available plant in a similar manner. Extra Hours at Overtime "This union has, whenever approached, waived the jjrotective restrictions on females working overtime, in the interests of the war effort. Our members have never refused to work additional hours, provided that overtime rates were paid. Neither the British nor the Australian Government has asked boot operatives in the respective countries to waive their overtime clauses, and the employers in New Zealand, in the last three awards, have never asked for additional hours." Reference was made in the evidence to the fact that profits on military work were small, and that manufacturers could not afford to pay overtime rates, the statement continues Profits on military footwear are calculated on a cost plus 10 per cent profit. The British Government pays the Australian manufacturer 3d a pair bonus to cover overtime rates and additional costs when working 52 hours a week on military footwear. The increase in costs under the harshest possible conditions is estimated at 3d a pair. _ "The latest Abstract _ of Statistics states concerning overtime that approximately 150,000 overtime hours were worked by 4400 employees," Messrs. Watts and Morey add. "If the industry worked 50 weeks in a year the approximate overtime worked a week by each individual would be less than an hour. The Holiday Aspect "Statements also made it appear that two weeks' production, approximately 28,000 pairs of boots, would be lost in Auckland during the Christmas holidays, the inference being that the boot trade enjoys an annual, leave of two weeks. Apart from statutory holidays, the union members have an annual leave of three days, and if any factories are closed for two weeks or longer the fault will be that of the manufacturers." The statement says that union members have made a practical contribution to the war effort, having increased production about 15 per cent in two years. Restrictions on unskilled labour entering the trade have been abolished, ar.d support has been given Government efforts to train extra labour in trade schools. Subsidised adult apprentices have been allowed to enter the industry, and these sources of labour are making up in numbers, though not in skill, losses through enlistment and retirement. A Survey Suggested "In our opinion there has been no fundamental change to warrant a further application on this contentious and vital issue," the statement adds, referring to the 40-hour week. It recalls that the hours committee of the economic conference has examined the question of extending hours in the industry, and the fact that it is still working the 40-hour week is proof that the pi'evious application is not justified. The employees feel that the time has arrived for a proper co-ordinated survey of the manpower, plant apd capital resources of the industry, ns well as costing and profits. The results, placed at the disposal of national and local production councils, composed of employers and employees given the necessary authority, would enable tho industry effectively to standardise the_ production of footwear, and solve existing production difficulties and any that might arise.