LABOUR DISPUTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 256, 28 October 1937, Page 4

LABOUR DISPUTES

FORTY-TWO DISTURBANCES LAST YEAR RESTORATION OF WAGES Forty-two industrial disturbances occurred during the year ended March 31 last, as compared with 20 the previous year, according to the annual report of the Department of Labour, which was presented in the House ot Representatives on Tuesday. The increase is attributed mainly to disputes centring round the reduction of working hours to 40 and the restoration oi the 1931 wages rates. The report states in most cases the disturbances were of a minor nature and settlements were amicably effected. The most serious case occurred at the Westfield and Southdown Freezing Works just before the Christmas holidays, when 1500 workers adopted “go-slow” methods, the trouble arising out of dissatisfaction with the rates of wages and other conditions in the new freezing workers’ award. It is stated in the report that there was no doubt that the lower-paid workers had good grounds for dissatisfaction.

During the year, adds the report, 6478 complaints of alleged breaches of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act and of awards and industrial agreements were received, but it was found on investigation that in 2133 cases no breach had been committed, In 479 cases proceedings were taken, and in 3110 cases warnings were given. No action was considered necessary in the remaining cases. Apart from these complaints a large proportion of the inspections of factories, shops, etc., included an inspection to ascertain whether the awards and agreements were being complied with in respect of wages, overtime, etc.; and as a result of these inspections 137 prosecutions were taken and warnings were given in other cases. Of the 616 prosecutions, 537 were against employers and 79 against workers. There were 493 convictions recorded, 424 against employers and 69 against workers. Arrears of wages amounting to £33,854/19/5, as compared with £ll, 790/10/2 for the previous year, were collected by the department's officers on behalf of workers who had been under-paid the wages prescribed by awards and various Acts, the report continues. In addition, further a mounts of arrears totalling £36,865/ 15/7, as compared with £6349/16/6 the year before, were paid by employers at the instance of inspectors directly to the workers concerned. The report states that proceedings were taken in three cases under the Fair Rents Act and that penalties amounting to £25 were imposed.