NO HOLIDAY BONUS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20992, 20 December 1939, Page 2

NO HOLIDAY BONUS

WORKERS ON RELIEF LOCAL BODIES’ POSITION SUBSIDY FOR WORK DONE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Wednesday The Ellerslie Borough Council received advice from the Labour Department, Wellington, last night, that there would be no payment of holiday bonuses this year to workers on Scheme 13 and other forms of relief work. The department stated that the duration of any suspension of scheme No. 13 works during the holiday season was a matter for consideration by the individual employing authorities concerned. It was possible that some employing authorities might decide to open their works on all days except the statutory holidays, Christmas and Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, while others might decide to observe a vacation. The men on No. 13 scheme would be entitled to all the benefits for which they qualified under relevant awards governing their employment. While the special concessions could not be paid, refunds of subsidy would be made by the department in respect of paid holidays due under awards. Should the local bodies decide to permit the men to work during the weeks ending December 30 and January 6, the department would pay the subsidy in respect of wages paid for time actually worked. Workers Not Under Awards “Due to the recent introduction of a new public works workers’ agreement, under which certain amendments regarding rates of pay and holidays are provided for,” the letter continued, “it is not possible at present to give any direction as to whether the amended conditions are to apply in regard to holidays at Christmas for those scheme No. 13 workers employed by sports bodies, charitable organisations, which are not bound by any award, and where the workers have been employed under the general conditions of the old public works workers’ agreement. That question is under consideration by the Government.” Members remarked that the position was remarkably changed from last year, when the local bodies had been given no option as to the extent of the holiday period and were instructed to close down and make payment of full wages and a bonus prior to the close-down at Christmas.