HOURS OF WORK AT GASWORKS

Southland Times, Issue 23548, 30 June 1938, Page 14

HOURS OF WORK AT GASWORKS

MEN CLAIM A 44 HOUR WEEK POSSIBILITY OF STRIKE IN CHRISTCHURCH (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, June 28. Affecting 60 yardmen at the gasworks a dispute has arisen between the men and the Christchurch Gas Company as to tire number of hours that shall be worked each week. The company claims that if the men work a 44-hour week some will have to be dismissed because there will not be enough work to go round, while the men say that they are. entitled, under their - new award, to a 44-hour week with a corresponding increase in their weekly pay. Under the terms of the new award the clause relating to yardmen’s hours states that up to 44 hours may be worked.

According to a statement made this morning by the secretary (Mr W. E. Rogers) the company can work the men 40 hours a week under this clause. Under the old award, said Mr Rogers, yardmen were paid £4 6/2 for a week which averaged 42 hours—4o one week and 44 the next. The new award stipulated an hourly payment of 2/4 which on a 40-hour week meant a rise of 7/2 to £4 13/4 for two hours less work. Under the 44-hour week the men would receive £5 2/8 and the men wanted this extra 10/8. If a 44hour week were adopted, said Mr Rogers, it would mean that six or more would have to be dismissed as the engineer had decided a 40-hour week was preferable to dismissing the men. The men have already held meetings to discuss the position and the possibility of a strike has been mentioned A meeting will be held this afternoon to make a final decision.

The company has requested the men to appoint three members of the Disputes Committee which so far has not been done.

The secretary of the Workers’ Union (Mr A. E. Tongue) said he had no comment to make.