STAFF SHORTAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20913, 13 October 1942, Page 2

STAFF SHORTAGE

AUCKLAND HOSPITALS six-day week sought NO OVERTIME PAYMENT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, this day. In view of the difficulty of obtaining sufficient capable staff, especially for auxiliary and emergency hospitals, the Auckland Hospital Board is to proceed with an application for permission to employ all hospital workers six days a week without payment of overtime. Following a communication to the Industrial Emergency Council, the board last night received a letter from that body stating that it had delegated to the standing committee an investigation of all applications for the alterations of hours and conditions of awards. The quickest way in which a decision could be reached was with the co-o'peration of the appointed representative of the unions concerned. The council advised the board to consult the New Zealand Hospital Boards Union of Employers to obtain unanimity among the hospital boards, then through that organisation to approach the Federated Hotel and Related Trades Union in an endeavour to negotiate an agreement. If no agreement was reached, application should be made to the Minister ot Labour.

The board decided to pursue its application along the lines indicated, though doubts as to the wisdom of the decision were expressed by two members.