ARREARS OF WAGES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11684, 23 November 1923, Page 5

ARREARS OF WAGES

RESTRICTION OF CLAIM. EXTENSION OF TIME DESIRED. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, November 2S. “Claims for arrears of wages and overtime are restricted by the Conciliation and Arbitration Act to thirteen weeks from the date on which the last payment became due and payable, and the thirteen weeks date back from the date the action for recovery is commenced,” Mr H. Hunter writes in a letter to the secretary of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council. Mr Hunter explains that this provision of the Act is not generally understood. Mr C. Renn, secretary of the Christchurch Printing Trades Union, wrote to the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister for Labour, asking that the Act should he amended by extending the period in which action may be taken by a worker for recovery of arrears of wages or overtime from thirteen weeks to six months, and the Minister has replied that the request will receive his careful consideration when amendments to the Act are under review, and lie will be pleased to receive details of cases of hardship under the present law.

Mr 11. Hunter, workers’ representative on the Arbitration Court, has written to the secretary of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, stating that tho court has decided that no deduction can be mode from apprenticesj wages for time lost while attending military duties, parades', and encampments, and that that loss of time lias not to be made up by the apprentices, nor can time lost through sickness ho deducted from apprentices’ wages. An employer can require an apprentice to make up time Icwt by sickness only when an award specifically provides for that course.