Miners Asked To Work On Two Holidays

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1948, Page 5

Miners Asked To Work On Two Holidays

P.A. DUNEDIN, April 9. The owners and employees in the coal mining industry have been asked by the Mines Department to work on tne Anzac Day and on May Day holidays this year, in order to maintain the production on these days. The miners are entitled to receive pay at the rate of triple time, and, if effect is .given to the Government’s proposal, the extra cost over the ordinary time will be met by the Mines Department. The Anzac Day holiday for miners falls this year on a Sunday, and May Day also falls on a holiday—on a Saturday. Both holidays are to be observed on. the following Monday. The Mines Department has “urged” both parties to agree to work on these days at lhe rates specified in the agreement, and has indicated that it will reimburse the owners for the extra costs which the arrangements will entail.

Business Man Questions Payment Of Triple Wage Rates P.A. DUNEDIN, April 9. A Dunedin business man with an interest in the coal industry commented to-dav as to the action of the Mines- Department regarding the working on two holidays. Tie mentioned that a seven-hour day had been instituted in the mines only this week. This had come at a time when the country was desperately short of its coal requirements, and it seemed a strange development that, so soon after the hours of work had been reduced, the Department should find it necessary to ensure a continuity of supply by having work done on holidays at the taxpayers’ expense. The business man also mentioned that tlie announcement of the Government’s intention to urge work at triple rates on a holiday which was a substitute for Anzac Day closely followed the publication, locally, of a report, recalling that the Minister of Labour had agreed, three years ago, with tlie contention of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association that Anzac Dav should be observed only on the day on which it fell, and that there should be no- alternative holiday'-.- Apparently, an assurance had recently been given by the Minister to the Returned Services’ Association that this principle was incorporated in “practically all” the awards of tlie Arbitration Court.