Work sharing means pay sharing
Page 47
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
WORK SHARING and shorter working hours are being urged on Common Market countries by the European Communities Commission. Less is heard of pay sharing, although the Commission recognises that unit production costs should not be increased nor competitive ability impaired by the policy.
To say that the European Trade Union Confederation has "reservations" about loss of pay through working shorter hours could be the euphemism of the year.
Work sharing could clearly present serious operational problems in long-distance goods and passenger transport by land, air and sea. Changing airliner crews in mid-air by flight refueller would require a new super-thin breed of person and seaman might not enjoy being cast adrift in mid-ocean to make way for others, delivered at halftime by helicopter.
Taking a broad view, the EEG declares that "Governments can set an example to the private sector by pursuing a policy of reducing and reorganising working time, so leading to the new recruitment among public employees." Try that on Mrs Thatcher.