BUILDERS’ LABOURERS.

Evening Star, Issue 22444, 15 September 1936, Page 10

BUILDERS’ LABOURERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir —The Labour Government has introduced the 40-hour week. In doing bo the Government stated that the average weekly earnings should not reduced. Can you explain the position relating to builders’ ; labourers ? Previous to the introduction of the 40-hour week builders’ labourers received Is lOd an hour for a 44-hour week—£4 Os Bd less emergency tax 2s 9d, leaving to I7s lid. This was the maximum earnings. Loss of time through wet weather and other causes would average four hours a week, leaving an average weekly wage of £3 10s 7d. Now as a consequence of the 40-hour week our maximum rate is £3 13s. less 3s 2d emergency tax. £3 9s lOd, the maximum weekly rate, loss of time through wet weahor and other causes (<s 4d) leaving £3 2s 6d for a man to maintain himself wife, and family. I understand that the builders and contractors refuse to adjust our wages in accordance with the Government’s decision. Can you explain the reason why?— lam, etc., Builder's Labourer. September 15. [As there is no award in force today, section 16 of the Binance Act covers your employment. This section provides for the restoration of the wage rate as at May 29. 1931, in your case Is lOd an hour. It makes no provision for the number of hours of an ordinary working week. As the weekly number of hours in your industry has decreased to 40. it would appear that until a new award is made covering your employment, your normal week will be one of 40 hours at Is lOd (£3 13s 4d). Your rates are governed by the Finance Act, and are in order. This should not be confused with the 1936 amendment; to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which provides that workers under awards in existence to-day shall not have their weekly earnings reduced. —Ed. E.S.] .