OVERTIME IN GASWORKS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19248, 13 February 1937, Page 15

OVERTIME IN GASWORKS

WORK ON HALF.HOLLDAY NELSON TEST CASE DEPARTMENT UPHELD (Per Press Association.) NELSON, this day. "Although my mind is not free from doubt, I have concluded that the regulations gazetted on August 13 modifying sections 14- and 15 of the Factories Amendment, Act, do not- take away from gasworks employees the right to additional wages when required to work on the Saturday half-holiday,'' said Mr. T. E. Maunsell. S.M., to-day in an important- judgment giving a decision for the department in a case against the Nelson City Council of employing a gasworks stoker on a Saturday afternoon and not paying the extra rate. The action was brought to test the effect of tho Order-in-Council on the sections stated.

The magistrate said lie considered the effect of the regulations was to modify the section by reducing the rate of additional wages for whole holidays and Sundays from double tit time- and a half. The section in regard to half-holidays was not so affected.

A charge of reducing wages because of a reduction in working hours was dismissed, although tho stokers previously worked for 56 hours. The, magistrate ruled that the new rates must he worked on the basis of 48 hours, as the. extra hours were overtime though not paid for.