ADMIRALTY CONTROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1941, Page 5

ADMIRALTY CONTROL

SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIRS MORE WORKERS NEEDED. MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY DESIRED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 9. The Admiralty is to take over responsibility for the most efficient use of labour within the shipbuilding industry. This step is explained in a memorandum issued on a scheme for the control of the nation’s shipbuilding and ship repairing industry. The Ministry of Labour will continue to besponsible for the labour supply from outside the industry. National control will be exercised by the Board of Admiralty. A small committee representative of the industry and consisting of two employers and two workers, will meet from time to time as occasion arises under an Admiralty chairman. Local controls to be set up in specified areas will be responsible for the day to day allocation and interchange of labour in the district to provide an even flow of work and avoid idle time. These controls will be also responsible for the transfer of labour from one district to another. _ As part of the scheme, the Minister of Labour, Mr. Bevan, has made the Essential Work (Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing) Order, 1941, under which the Minister has power to schedule- firms engaged in shipbuilding or repairing. The purpose is to prevent loss of production caused by unnecessary turnover of labour. Where a firm has been scheduled the employer cannot dismiss a worker except for serious misconduct, and the worker cannot leave his employment unless the district shipyard controller to be appointed under the scheme gives permission in writing.

One object of the scheme is to secure the rapid movement of labour to where is it most urgently needed. It is provided, therefore, that a group of employers in the same district may release workers to go to other employers within the group. Comprehensive machinery is set up for dealing with grievances as between employers and workers, appeals if necessary being referred to an Appeal Board consisting of one member from the employers’ panel, and one from the workers’ panel, and a chairman appointed by the Minister. Workers engaged in scheduled undertakings are guaranteed a minimum wage- when work is not available for them. In order to qualify for this guaranteed minimum wage the worker must be capable of work concerning which the guarantee operates—a day in the case of a time worker —and must also be willing to do other work which he can reasonably be asked to perform if work is not available in his usual occupation. There is also provision under the Order for dealing with cases of absenteeism. bad time checking, and lack of discipline, though it is hoped that such cases may frequently be dealt with by arrangements in the local establishments.

Mr. Bevin explained the scheme in a speech at Newcastle. He stated that an urgent appeal was being made to people who had been engaged in trades connected with shipbuilding and repairing and had left the trade within the last 15 years. Many of them were in secure work and the Government was anxious that wherever possible employers . should endeavour to release them, particularly during this vital period. He said the Ministry would take steps to assist with the difficulties of men who, except for business difficulties, were willing to return to their former job in the shipbuilding industry. Men were wanted immediately, without waiting for registration, to act as laboureis and semi-skilled men in shipyards. This type of labour was becoming, very limited, and anyone would be welcomed —business men or others in non-es-sential occupations. More engineers were required to come back into the industry at any age for marine engineering. The steps proposed could overcome the problem in the shipbuilding industry An additional 50,000 people in the right categories were needed. “We are also wanting a big response from women wtihout their waiting for registration,” said Mr. Bevin. _ This would fill a gap and be of priceless value in avoiding difficulties latei, he said. Women were wanted mainly for filling factories. Another feature was to encouiage the grouping of special typps of men. Instead of a man working for one firm, he would work in a group in the district If he moved about within the group he would not be dismissed or stood off. That would save an enormous amount of waste time.