GISBORNE EMPLOYEES PROTEST

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 117, 2 December 1938, Page 4

GISBORNE EMPLOYEES PROTEST

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SATURDAY OPPOSED A. strong protest against the decision to hold'the in,to shopping night in Christmas week on Saturday was made a meeting of members of tiiu Gisborne Grocers’ and Other Shop Assistants’ Union last night. The meet mg was tiie largest ever held under the auspices of,the union, and -the attendance included a big percentage, of women assistants. it; was decided to telegraph the Minister of Labour and the New Zealand Federation of Shop Assistants emphatically protesting against holding the Christmas late night on the Saturday hall-holiday and substituting another hiilf day earlier in the week. Apart from any legal or statutory power that the employers might have,* the meeting was unanimously of the opinion, that the convenience of the public would he best served by observing the regular hours, holding Christ-' mas ICvo on the Friday night and closing lor the usual half-holiday on the Saturday. 'The meeting also was of the opinion that the method of taking the ballot to decide the question was most unreasonaMe, claiming the linns employing by far the biggest majority of the union’s members were given no more consideration than a business employing very few or no assistants, and the class of business and the area' covered by the ballot.’ was not a true ‘ representation' of retailers. It was regretted that a town the size of Gisborne could not be ununi-j moils in falling into line with the cities and other towns of New Zealand hi observing the regular shopping week plus an hour and a half on the Friday night.