FIRST STEP TO TROUBLE

Chronicle (Levin), 10 September 1947, Page 5

FIRST STEP TO TROUBLE

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter,

Reaciion To Anstralia's 40-Hour Week

Copyright)

Received Tuesday, 9 p.m. SYDNEY, Sept. 9. Though the decision of the Federal Arbitration Court to introduce the 40hour week throughout Australia has drawn praise even froan the Opposition, it is no more than the preparation of the road fcowards industrial peace. In reviewing the comment it is ' notabie that more than one influential union official qiualified his approva! in a |ignificant manner. On paper the decision is elear, workmanlike and incapable of misinterpretation. Its danger to industry lies not in the judgment itself but in the attitude of the partiqs of the industrial agreement. This is best exemplified by the statements of union ofliciais that they will contest the clause that ,for the transitional period employ.ees. must work reasonable overtime if required and the unions must place no restrictions on such overtime. It is unlikely that the unions whose delegates to the Australasian Council of Trade Unions Congress recently passed a motion approving .of ,direet action if a Court decision was unfavour.able, will disregard this challenge. Their rebellion against the arbitration system has not been questioned by the Government and they may now claim th33; their threat of a general strike swayed the judgment of the Court. The unionists do not trust the employers to abide by the spirit of the qualifying clause. It is likely that they will eall for definitions' of "reasonable" overtime and "transitional period." Hopes that the decision will improve industrial relationships are shaken by two reeent developme^ts. Firstly, a number of unions are already organising a campaign for 'a five-day week on the New Zealand plan. This is bound to be fought bitterly by the employers, particularly in the heavily industrialised centres. Secondly, officials .of the Miners' Federation have lost no time in announcing their claim that the decision strengthens their case for g, 35-hour week. Considering the grave eoal shortages which handieap the development of Australia, it is diffieult to ■ justify their contention that by reason of the arduous nature of their work, the. miners are entitled to work fewer hours than men in other branches of industry. Many other complaints are discernible. Shift workers and men paid by the hour are asking for wage adjustments and others are asking ' ' why wait ti 11 January?" In all this is discernible distrust of the employers, contempt for the processes of the law and impatience with the lengthy deliherations which led to the decision. The militants in control of large unions have a deadly weapon in this attitude of the rank and ^ file unionists. The Situation is ripe for more "stand and deliver" tactics such as those to which Australians have grown accustonied since the end of the war.