PIECE-WORK OPPOSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20023, 23 August 1939, Page 7

PIECE-WORK OPPOSED

COACH WORKERS’ STAND

EMPLOYEES “SICK OF IT”

ANSWER TO EMPLOYERS

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day

At the hearing of the coach workers’ dispute in the Conciliation Council to-day, the principle of piecework, as opposed to the minimum hourly or weekly rates, was discussed at some length.

The employers asket) for piecework, subject to ..the rates securing to a competent worker at least 10 per cent more than the minimum or the ordinary rate prescribed by the award.

Strong opposition was 1 raised bv the workers’ assessors. It. was contended by their agent that workers all over the country had had their stomachs full with piece work until they were sick of it. He would not agree to such a provision. If the workers agreed to a cause like that it was time they packed up and got out.

One of the workers’ assessors contended that piece-work was used to speed Up the rate of production for those on minimum rates. The commissioner, Mr. M. J. Reardon said that the prejudice against piece-work was old established. He thought the workers’ organisations today were strong enough to resist the pressure of the employers and to command terms assuring them of better rates of wages on piece-work than thev could get by the hour. Mr. John, for the employers, contended that without piece-work good men Were penalised. He referred to the difficulty in costing jobs. Owing to the great variation in time taken by different men doing the same class of job, the cost involved varied as much as 50 per cent.