DAY LABOURERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 August 1938, Page 9

DAY LABOURERS

4 WEEKLY RATE TO OPERATE DECISION OF CABINET (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Government was recently asked by the New Zealand Workers’ Union to compensate men employed on day wages under Public Works agreements for time lost through wet weather. It is understood that Cabinet has fixed a weekly rate of £4 to operate from July 11. The new conditions apply to all men on day wages who are receiving up to 2s 3d an hour on Public Works jobs, forestry, lands and to a number on the railways. In the past no payment was made for time lost through wet weather. The workers will be entitled to make up the time lost within a fourweekly period by working up to four hours on Saturday mornings. Workers who come under the general labourers award have the right at present to make up time lost through wet weather in the same week by working half an hour extra on week days and up to four hours on Saturday mornings. So far no general provision has been made for payment for lost time to labourers employed on subsidised local body works. It is claimed that these men should be entitled to the same conditions as now apply to labourers employed under Public Works agreements. This matter has been frequently discussed by union officials and employing authorities in an attempt to come to suitable arrangements. It is expected that a Ministerial statement will be made soon, outlining the' new conditions.