WAGE INCREASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 223, 19 September 1940, Page 8

WAGE INCREASE.

EXEMPTION SOUGHT.

TRANSPORT BOARD.

COURT RESERVES DECISION.

Th« application by the Auckland Transport Board for exemption from paying those of its employees who arc covered by industrial awards or agree- , mente the five per cent increase in wages announced by general order of the Court of Arbitration was before the Court this morning. Mr. Justice Tyndall presided, and associated with him were Messrs. Prime and Monteith, assessors for the employers and workers respectively. ; Mr. W. E. Anderson appeared for the board and Mr. J. LiddeJl and Mr. Neale for the employees concerned. Conferences Outlined. William Henry Nagle, chairman, of the Auckland Transport Board, gave evidence of conferences held between representatives qf the board and the unions and the final conference in April last when the commissioner, Mi*. Ritchie, gave his decision that the employees concerned be paid an increase of 8 per on their wages to meet tlm increased cost of living as set out by the Government Statistician. Subsequent to this increase, the Court of Arbitration made a .general order granting all workers under industrial awards or agreements an increase of 5 per cent. The employees had made a demand through; their unions for the 5 per cent in, addition to the 8 per cent, but the board considered they were not entitled to an additional 5 per cent. * Unions' Attitude. Witness said that after the commissioner had decided to grant the 8 jkt cent increase the commissioner asked the unions' representatives what would be their attitude if the Court made a general order giving a 10 per ceiit increase. The reply was that the unions might ask for an increase of the 2 per cent difference between the 8 per cent and 10 per cent, ■but they would require to have a good case to get it. Asked what would be the unions' attitude if the Court granted

5 per cent, the reply wae that the board 'would require to have a good case to get a 3 per cent reduction.

In answer to Mr. Liddell, witness said he had no doubt that Mr. Ritchie, in his comments after deciding upon an 8 per cent increase, said that if the Court made a general order giving a 10 per cent increase, then the board's employees concerned would be entitled to the extra 2 per cent, but if the Court order should be 5 per cent, the difference of 3 per cent could not be deducted. Witness <=aid at all times the board had recognised that under the special clause in the agreement the union was entitled to have a revision of the rates of pay. Commissioner's Statement. Charles K. Gribble, secretary of. the Transport ■ Board, read jwrtions of his shorthand report taken at the conference when the commissioner granted an increase of S per cent. Witness read from his notes a statement by the commissioner in which the latter said that if the Court granted a 5 per cent increase it would not be added to the 8 per cent. Mr. Anderson quoted the earnings and conditions of employment and holidays enjoyed by the board's employees, and submitted they were not entitled to a 5 per cent increase in addition to the 8 per cent. Mr. Liddell contended that it was not intended that it should be considered in connection with any increase the Court of Arbitration might award. The Court reserved its decision. HOSPITAL BOARD. APPLICATION TO COURT. The Auckland Hospital Board (Mr. Anderson) also • applied for exemption, •the application being opposed by Mr. H. Campbell on behalf of the board's employees, working under award*. Mr. Anderson contended thaft the Auckland Hospital was not a private profit-seeking • concern and was theretore in a different position' to a private luit-iness. He detailed the working condition-;, holidays, medical benefit* enjoyed, and contended the board's employees were considerably better off thai! the great majority of workers. Mr. H. Campbell submitted that there was no justification for the application, ' and said that the board wa«j simply "giving it a go." The employees under awards were entitled to the increase, and whatever amount wa«s involved could be obtained through the levy the board made upon local bodies. Decision was reserved.