PAYMENT DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24216, 6 March 1942, Page 7

PAYMENT DISPUTE

DIGGING OF TRENCHES DEMANDS ON CITY COUNCIL The disputed question oi rates of payment for Labourers who were engaged to dig trenches under the Emergencv Precautions Service on Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14 was again before the Auckland City Council last night. Other parties involved are the Auckland and Suburban Local Bodies Labourers' Union and the Labour Department. The union secretary wrote to the council on January 23 pointing ou t that these men were paid time and ahalf rates only, whereas under their award they were entitled, for Saturday work, to time and a-half for the first four hours, and thereafter double time; and for Sunday work, double time. Reporting at that stage, the city engineer said the case was looked upon as an emergency, and some of the men had been prepared to undertake the work without payment or at ordinary rates. As they had been fully employed in the previous week, it was thought reasonable to pay them time and a-half for the Saturday and Sunday. This was accepted without demur, and the engineer thought the union should be asked to view the question reasonably. The union secretary wrote again on February 12 threatening to take legal action if the payment demanded were not made within a week. The officer-m----charge of the Labour Department wrote stating that labourers, carpenters and drivers had been employed, and the conditions of the respective awards were not adhered to. The council most observe the awards, and he asked for immediate payment. It was decided to refer the matter to the Director of National Service.