RAILWAY HOURS

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 1

RAILWAY HOURS

THE FIRST DIVISION WEEK INEVITABLE DELAYS IN ADJUSTING TO FORTY HOURS [Per United Press Association - . 1 t AUCKLAND, October 4. . The Railway Department’s attitude to the 40-hour, week for lirst division men was explained by the general manager (Air G. H. Alackley), speaking at the annual reunion of the Auckland branch of the Railway Officers Institute on Saturday night. Air Alackley referred to the advantage of continuous _ employment which raihvaymen enjoyed and quoted figures to show the progress in wages since 1911. Introducing the 40-hour week was a big task and would cost £289,000 this year, in addition to £197,000 for tlio wage restorations. It had never been understood that the 40-hour week was to be introduced in the first year. Although the first division had not got its 100_ per cent, they were getting it _as quickly as possible. Of 3,000 first division men 1,800 were now enjoying a 40-hour week or less. The second division men were in a different position, as they were paid at an hourly rate. They were not being paid overtime as such for the hours worked over 40. The first division men enjoyed double annual leave, sick pay, and other privileges as compared with the second division. Tlio institute’s representatives had been asked to come back in six months’ time, Air Alackley said. Ho asked them to be patient, and he was sure they were losing nothing in the meantime. The regrading that had been awaited for some time was being gone into immediately. Regarding goodwill promotions, while he could make no promises, he would see if something could not be done in this year’s classification to help out some of those at the top of grade 7. Speaking of the results of the year’s working to date, Air Alackley said that more than half of the estimated revenue increase had been obtained in 24 weeks, and there was every reason to. expect that the departments budgeted interest payment would be more than reached.