As the result of years of pressure by the unions (particularly U.S.D.A.™ so far as shops are concerned) office workers are to get similar rights to those in industry in respect of working conditions. Most of the provisions of the Offices, Shops and Railways Promises Act will come into force on August lst. The Government Order giving effect to the Act stated that firms had the period of May lst. to July 31st. to register their premises, From August lst it will be illegal to employ anyone in premises where no application for a cert~ ificate has been made. Standards for the safety, health and welfare of more than 8 million workers are set out in the Act. These include provisions that each office worker must have 40 square feet of space and a room ‘temperature of not less than 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
Two Government publications, the Act itself and The Offices, Shops and Railway Promises Act, 1963, a General Guide, wore issued last week, All trade unionis® in these fields should get hold of copies and ensure that their employers are abiding by the provisions, These concern such diverse matters ass reasonable precautions against fire risk, effective means of ventilation, lighting, lavatoriocs, washing facilities, handrails on stairs, foncing of machinery, and many others. They apply not only to rooms in which people work, but other parts of buildings such as stairs, landings, storerooms, and entrances. Canteens are covered, and canteen workers come under the act, All premises are supposed to visited by inspectors,
This Act will give trade unionists a good chance to oxtend their activities and if used properly could help to lead to degroe of union isation of sectors where trade unions have hardly skimmed the surface of potontial membership. As with the factory acts, tho provisions in themselves will moan little unless backed by militant agitation. One question could be looked at, though, tho fact that there are some exceptions. These are where solfemployod people work, businessos whore the only persons omployed are immediate relatives of the employers, or places where tho total number of hours worked cach week by all empl oyees is normally not more than 21.