PUBLIC WORKS MEN

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1930, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS MEN

MORE PAY AND SHORTER HOURS.

■WELLINGTON, April'4

The agreement under which employees of the Public Works Department are. working expired at the end. of March, and steps are now being taken by the New Zealand Workers Union to secure a new agreement. Tin ’fieri''will ask for a number of improveents both in regard to wages and ,e conditions of .their work. The

;se for the men will he handled In elegates drawn from the various Pubc Works camps throughout the Doiinion and it is expected that the onference with representatives of the lepartment will take place some time n June.

Already a number of remits suggest ng improvements in wages and coalitions have been received at the heat office of the New Zealand Workers' Union. Several proposals have beei advanced in regard to wages. One re mit urges an increase of Is per day and another suggests a minimum wage of 15s per day. It is suggested by oik branch .that the co-operative coatracsystem should be abolished, and tlia failing that a minimum wage be guar anteed to ail co-oparative contract gangs.

Another suggestion is that all time lost on account of wot weather should

be paid for by the Department.. Several branches suggest that a preference 'to unionists clause should be inserted in the agreement, and there are several suggestions in regard tothe hours of work. The men employed at Purewa are in favour of asking lor a 44-hour week on the ground that it would prove of assistance in solving the unemployed problem. I awa Flat urges that the working day should consist of seven hours, tlie same to be worked continuously, except for necessary intervals for meals. Where it is necessary to work on Saturdays, the hours of work on that day should he confined to four; all time in excess of seven hours on ord.narv days, and I onion Saturdays, should be classed as overtime and paid for accordingly. Tawn Flat is asking lor a rate of 4s per hour for all men engaged on tunnelling work, and a minimum rule of 2s 1-Jd per hour. Other remits ask that men required to live in tents should receive an a<ionional 2s per week, that two “smokos’* (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) of ten minutes

each lie allowed, that the Public Works Department shall lie subject to the Mining Act regarding ventilation, that married accommodation be available to all men requiring it, and that ali classes of tradesmen shall have their rates of pay embodied in the next agreement, and be paid their respective award rates.