TIMBER WORKERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 9

TIMBER WORKERS’ UNION

MEETING OF SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE The executive of the Southland branch of the New Zealand Timber Workers’ Union decided at a recent meeting to relieve all members going into military camp of their union contributions for the duration of the v/ar. A letter was received from Mr J. Read, secretary of the Wellington Timber Workers’ Union, stating that his union had nominated Mr Charles Little as president of the National Union and asking for his sanction to this. It was decided to endorse the Wellington Union’s nomination and support it. Mr Little asked for time to consider the matter. It was decided to nominate Mr F. Craig, secretary of the Auckland Union, as general secretary of the National Union.

The inspector of factories wrote in reply to the union concerning a dispute over holiday pay in respect of two members. He said that he had made further inquiries and that as Clause 5 of the award appeared to be mandatory such workers should receive 14 days’ annual holiday with pay in lieu of the holidays as specifed by the Factories Act. On this basis it would thus appear that the men could not receive less than 14 days holidays, which would leave six holidays due above the eight statutory holidays and it was suggested that the matter might be referred to the National Disputes Committee for consideration.

The secretary stated that the inspector of factories had informed him that these men were working only 40 hours a week and were allowed the eight statutory holidays, for which reason the employers refused to pay anything more. It was suggested that the matter should go before the National Disputes Committee. It was left in the hands of the secretary to make further inquiries. In reply to a complaint made by the union about a company paying the men monthly anl by cheque to which no exchange was added, the inspector stated that he had received a communication from the secretary of the company that in future the men would be paid fortnightly in accordance with the award, and that exchange would be added to the cheques. The inspector of factories wrote stating that he was making inquiries about inferior bathing accommodation provided at some of the sawmills.