FREEZING WORKS EMPLOYEES

Southland Times, Issue 23376, 7 December 1937, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS EMPLOYEES

PAYMENT ON STATUTORY HOLIDAYS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 6. The question of whether freezing works employees should receive payment on statutory holidays in addition to their weekly wages when such holidays coincide with their usual weekly day off duty has been settled in the affirmative by the decision of the Arbitration Court. The Court was asked to adjudicate in the dispute between the New Zealand Refrigerating Company Limited and the Wellington Freezing Works and Related Trades Employees’ Industrial Union of Workers, both parties to the New Zealand (except Westland) Freezing Workers’ Award. At the company’s Imlay works, Wanganui, a fireman had completed his weekly watch on Thursday, December 31, 1936, and the following day, New Year’s Day, was his day off. The court was asked whether the worker was entitled to receive pay for New Year’s Day in addition to his usual weekly payment. In giving the opinion of the court Mr Justice O’Regan showed that the award allows all workers in the industry, including engine room hands and watchmen, a holiday on New Year’s Day and certain other days. “Though the facts are different the case is exactly similar in principle to that of Cathie and Sons Limited, as appellant, decided by this court recently on an appeal from a decision of Mr J. H. Luxford S.M.” His Honour stated that the worker was accordingly entitled to pay.