URGENT APPEAL

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21366, 10 March 1941, Page 6

URGENT APPEAL

SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY CONTROL OF LABOUR AVOIDING WASTE TIME (Olhcial wireless) (Received March 10, noon) RUGBY, March 9 The Admiralty is to take over the responsibility for the most efficient use of labour within the shipbuilding industry. This step was explained in a memorandum issued on the scheme for the control of Britain’s shipbuilding and ship repairing industry. The Ministry of Labour will continue to be responsible for the labour supply from outside the industry. National control will be exercised by the Board of the Admiralty. A small committee representative of the industry, consisting of two employers and two workers, will meet from time to time as occasion arises, under an Admiralty chairman. Local controls will be set up in specified areas and will be responsible for the day-to-day allocation and interchange of labour in the district, so as to provide an even flow of work and avoid idle time. These will be also responsible for the transfer of labour from one district to another. As part of the scheme the Minister of Labour has made the essential work (shipbuilding and ship repairing) order for 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 an 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 who will be appointed under the scheme gives permission in writing. One object of the scheme is to secure the rapid movement of 1 labour to where it is most urgently I needed. It is provided, therefore, j that a group of employers in tne ! 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, an appeal, 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. Guarantee of Minimum Wage Workers engaged in scheduled undertakings will be guaranteed a minimum wage when work is not available for them. In order to qualify for this guaranteed minimum wage the worker must Oe capable of work concerning which the guarantee operates—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 dealing with cases of absenticism, 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. Appeal By Minister The Minister of Labour, Mr E. Bevin, explained the scheme in a speech at Newcastle. He stated that ah urgent appeal was being made to people who had oeen engaged in trades connected with shipbuilding and repairing and naa left the trade within the last 15 years. An urgent appeal was being J made to those men. 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 labourers and semi-skilled men in the shipyards. This type of labour was becoming very limited : and anyone would be welcomed — ! ousinessmen or others in nonessential occupations. More engineers were required to come back ; into the industry at any age for marine engineering. 50,000 People Wanted The proposed steps could overcome the problems of the shipbuilding industry. An additional 50,000 people in the right categories were needed. “We are also wanting a big response from women without their ! waiting for registration,” said Mr ! Bevin. “This would fill the gap and ! oe of priceless value in avoiding diffi- | culties later. Women are wanted i mainly for filling factories.” 1 Another feature was to encourage the grouping of special types of men. I Instead of a man working lor one film he would work in a group in a ' district. If he moved about within the group he would not be dismissed jor stood off. Tliat would save an 1 enormous waste of time.