THE SHORTER WEEK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10559, 9 April 1920, Page 6

THE SHORTER WEEK

AGITATION IN NEW SOUTH ' ‘WALES. INDUSTRIAL ’ COURT PROCEEDINGS. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright SYDNEY, April 8. Th© Industrial Court dismissed the application by the master builders calling bn the Bricklayers’ Union to show cause why it should not ho dealt with for refusing to work on Saturdays, as the summons was improperly 1 issued. Leave was given to issue a fresh summons.

Before the Basic Wage Commission evidence waß given that the chief cause of the increased cost of building was the smaller amount of work done. Sis years ago a bricklayer laid 900 to 1000 bricks, while now it was considered that laying 350 to 400. was a good day’s work,- for which a man received IBs to 20s.

A ~44r.b?ur no_ work on Saturdaye, was recently’ decided upon by most of the important unions connected with the building trade in New South Wales, with the exception of the stonemasons, at stop-work meetings which were held on Saturday. At a meeting,,of. the Amalgamated Society of. Carpenters and. Joiners .and the Progressive Society of Carpenters and Joiners--at,,the.Jh'Qtestant Hall, a motion was carried affirming the principle of a 44-hour week, with the elimination of Saturday work. Tho decision, however, was by no moans unanimous. At tho conclusion of the proceedings it was stated that in future there would* bo no-tmoro-' Saturday work in tho building trades. - The--members of the Builders’ Labourers’ Union, the Operative Bricklayers, the „ Operative Painters and Decorators’ Union, and certain other unions engaged in tho building industry, held meetings at the Trades Hall. The Operative Paintero decided that in future no Saturday work would he done, and the builders’ labourers'tcsolved-to fall into line with the other organisations; "' The bricklayers reaffirmed their previous decision not to do any more Saturday morning - work. Tho members of tho Stonemasons’ Union have decided to continue work at the week-ends. An official of tho Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners’ Union stated that the recent award of the court provided that-the ordinary hours of work should not exceed 48 per week. Tho ordinary working hours under tho award were from 7.30 a.m. to noon, and from 12.45 p.m. to 5 p.m. on each working day, except Saturdayand from 7,30 a.m.. to 11.45 a.m. on Saturday. The minimum fates of wages for carpenters and joiners was 2s l|d per hour. A journeyman'in charge of not less thaii-four" other 1 journeymen, and for not less than a w-cek, was classed as a leading hand, and was paid at the rate of 2s 3d per hour.