FORTY-HOUR WEEK AT ALL PORTS

Chronicle (Levin), 4 December 1946, Page 5

FORTY-HOUR WEEK AT ALL PORTS

-Press Associaiion

Waterside Union's Decision MINIMUM DEMANDS STATED

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. All major and secondary ports have been directed to institute immediately a 40-hour week of 8 a.m. .to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday as a protest against the unsatisfactory decision on the union claims for a guaranteed daily wage. This instruction was issued today by the national executive of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union following a conferenee yesterday. The union's demands are for a satisfactory decision on tke guaranteed daily wage, and wage incfeases to restore the position as laid down by the Court of Arbitration, whereby watersiders receive 25 * per cent. above the hourly wage of unskilled workers ; immediate improvements in accommodation and amenities, which the union says has been an outstanding grievance for many years, and which has been pressed continually for the past six years; and the abolition of Saturday engagements. "In addition, the claims of the ships' earpenters' section of the union for increased wages and a guaranteed daily wage have the f u 1 1 support of the union and. therefore. these workers are united in support of the fortv-hour week." The statement by the executive continues: "The executive feels that these are the minimum demands of the union. and that the forty-hour week shall aoplv at the ports specified until reasonable satisfaction has been obtained. "Mails. luggage and motorcars will be worked as usnal on inter-island steamers, and the loading of supplies for our occupation forces in Japan on the vessel Nelkw«. at present at Lyttelton, wdl be worked overtime in order that the troons receive supplies for Ghristmas."