URGENT DEFENCE WORKS

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 8

URGENT DEFENCE WORKS

POWER TAKEN TO SUSPEND AWARDS CONDITIONS STATED [From Odr Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, Sepember 15. To expedite defence preparations and other necessary war works, the Government has taken power under the Emergency Regulations Act to enable the Minister of Labour to suspend the provisions of any Act, award, or agreement relating to extended hours of work. Mr Webb said to-day that this step would only be taken in cases of extreme urgency and subject to specific conditions. “ An order has been made in respect of emergency defence works in connection: with the establishment of military camps,. road works, aerodromes, and the.erection ofstores,” said Mr Webb. ~ “ This, order provides for the working of shifts and an' additional payment 'to shift workers of 3s'a shift where three shifts are worked and 2s a shift where two shifts are worked, the shifts to be rotated. All orrangeraents for shift work must be approved by the Minister of Public Works. “ Tim© worked on Saturdays must be for at time and a-half and all other extended hours worked must be paid for in accordance with the terms of the Act, award, or agreement applying to the particular class of work, and in any case at not less than time and a-half. Travelling time_ outsiido the ordinary working hours is to : be paid for at ordinary rates. Until an order is made in respect of any industry or branch of industry, the conditions prescribed by the Act, award, or agreement covering the industry must be observed.”