REFUSAL TO WORK OVERTIME

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 18, 16 October 1943, Page 4

REFUSAL TO WORK OVERTIME

Men In Cool Stores (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 15.

Cbamberhands employed in the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company’s cool stores on King’s Wharf are refusing to work overtime between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. till their request for a higher hourly rate of pay is satisfactorily settled. About 150 n;en who work under the freezing workers’ award are involved. Because the cool stores have not been working in the evenings, small coastal vessels have had to discharge cheese and butter into the wharf sheds, where it has remained till morning. Though no large overseas vessels are awaiting dairy cargoes, the stalemate may, if it continues next week, be serious. With the cost of living bonuses the men earn about 3/- an hour. Any increase in the ordinary hourly rate would be reflected in the overtime rate, which is time and a half between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Small vessels are at present busily engaged bringing dairy produce to Auckland as the peak of the dairy season next month is approaching. The vessels have to discharge in the evenings at Auckland, as they are usually scheduled to make a quick return for more cargo. With the competition of higher wages an<? more overtime elsewhere, diflicullty is also experienced in engaging casual labourers to work the cargo on the small vessels from the river ports in the dairying districts. Carriers arc also finding it difficult to obtain labourers to help them with heavy cheeses on their trucks.