6-DAY WEEK INTRODUCED

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1934, Page 4

6-DAY WEEK INTRODUCED

DAIIRY FACTORY AGREEMENT

WORKERS’ IMPROVED CONDITIONS.

RISE IN EMPLOYMENT FORECAST. NO INCREASE IN WAGES YET. The introduction of a six-day week for workers in the larger cheese factories in Taranaki and the employment of up to 150 more factory hands will be the main results of an agreement reached at Stratford on Saturday by a meeting of representatives of dairy factory employers and employees. Generally improved conditions are expected as the outcome of the agreement, which is believed to be the first of its nature in New Zealand. The matter was completed at a meeting of representatives of the parties concerned, the Taranaki Dairying and Farming Industrial Union of Employers, Taranaki Creameries, Cheese and Butter Factories and the Dairy Employees’ Industrial Union of Workers, Negotiations have been proceeding for several years and were concluded in a spirit described by Mr. J. S. McKay and Mr. R. Fulton, for the employers and employees respectively, as extremely friendly. The meaning of the new agreement in short is that employees in cheese factories of six vats and over are to have a six-day week, and in smaller factories the option of a six-day or sevenday week. For butter factories there is an alternative provided whereby in certain circumstances a six-day week can be arranged. No increase in wages is provided for, but the feeling of the employers was made clear that consideration would be given to that if prices improved. The effect will be that an increase in staffs absorbing between 100 and 150 men will be necessitated, with a consequent increase in labour costs. This, however, is expected to be offset by better health and greater efficiency among the workers, reflected in improved produce. Details of the scheme are:—(a) Butter factories: From August 1 to April 30, 56 hours per week of seven days; from May 1 to July 31, 88 hours per fortnight, of 12 days; or, in the alternative, from August 1 to April 30, 48 hours per week of six days, from May 1 to July 31, 44 hours per week of six days. In such cases clause 8 of the agreement (which relates to holiday pay) shall apply. On or before October 1 of each, year each factory shall notify its employees as to which of these alternatives it elects to work under, this agreement to continue until the expiration of the agreement. (b) Cheese factories: Where six vats and over are in use a six-day week shall be observed. The limit as to the number of vats in use shall apply to each company and not to individual factories. In the case of factories where the men. are employed for six days per week only the provision of clause 8 shall not apply. Where five vats or under are in use in any dairy factory company it shall be optional for the employer to observe either a sevenday or a six-day week provided that where a six-day week is' observed clause 8 shall not apply. On or before October 1 the employees shall be notified as to which of these alternatives they will be required to work under, the arrangement to subsist the same as in the case of the butter factories.

Under the heading wages relating to cheese factories it is provided that there shall be employed one man to each standard vat of 900 gallons or, if larger vats are used, then one man shall be employed for. each 90Q gallons of milk. ’