MILK ROUNDSMEN ASK FOR DOUBLE PAY SUNDAYS

Chronicle (Levin), 18 March 1947, Page 7

MILK ROUNDSMEN ASK FOR DOUBLE PAY SUNDAYS

—Press Association

Bv Telearaph-

AUCKLAND, Mar. 17. A statement that the Milk Roundsmen 's Union had lield a pistol at the heads of the publie, threatening not to deliver milk on Sundays unless paid double time, was made by Mr. M. Marshall, employers' assessor on the Tribunal which today heard the union 's claim for double time pay on Sundays. If it were the poliey of the Goverument, he said, to set up tribunals under the strikes and lockouts emergency regulations, with authority to overrule awards made by the Court of Arbitration, the employers would have to eonsider seriously whether it was worthwhile iu futufe attending coneiliatiou and Arbitration proceedings. The chairman of the tribunal was Mr S. Ritcliie, Conciliation Commissioner. The assessors were Mcssrs W. E. Anderson, W. Marshall and R. B. Stonex foi the employers and Messrs L. Robertson, J. Green and J. Mills for the union. Mr. Marshall said the Milk Roundsmen 's Award had only four months to run. If an employer made a breach ot it he would be charged in court. If the tribunal granted the claim it would have a far-reaching effect with the possibility of similar demands being brought by worlters of other industries who worked on Sundays. In spite of numerous representations in conciliation for double time pay on Sundays for milk roundsmen, the employers had refused to pay it, said Mr. Robertson. Answering this Mr. Anderson said the workers sliould have sought a meeting with the employers in the present case before asking for a tribunal. Since 1936 thev had had six awards and three amendments. Mr. Robertson claimed that milk roundsmen worked beside milk pasteurisers and drivers who received double time pay on Sundays. The chairman reserved his decision until tomorrow.