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'Shorter hours to cut dole queue'

20th October 1978, Page 19
20th October 1978
Page 19
Page 19, 20th October 1978 — 'Shorter hours to cut dole queue'
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

k CAMPAIGN for a 35-hour Vorking week has been aunched by the United Road fransport Union.

It sees this move as a positive contribution towards reducing unemployment, and believes that the Government should adopt a shorter working week as national policy.

According to URTU, a 'eduction in working hours ould stimulate British inlustry and make it improve its nternational competitiveness .hrough improved unit cost )erformance. "In some cases, reduction in the working week may lead to unavoidable increases in costs," it says, and adds that negotiators will have to take account of the likely effect upon commercial performance which any such costs may have.

URTU also believes that reduced working hours could be used as an effective weapon against overtime, as the opportunity could be taken to raise the basic hourly wage rates.

It adds: "Similarly, cost savings from reducing overtime could help finance a reduction in normal hours without loss of pay.

"Thus, far from being alternatives, reductions in normal hours and in overtime should be viewed as complementary aspects of a common approach."

URTU quotes a number of examples of reduced working weeks, including one in the German brewing industry where people over 56 with 10 or more years' service have received additional annual holidays.

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