STRONG PROTEST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 98, 31 August 1942, Page 5

STRONG PROTEST

CLAIM FOR OVERTIME

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED

Although representations have been made, to the Government in regard lo the payment of overtime in the Public Service nothing has so far been done, states the Public Service Journal. Over a fortnight has now elapsed and. still there is a silence on the Government's part, though four to five months have passed since the hours have been automatically increased in certain departments and for a year or so mafliy departments have called upon staffs to work long hours of overtime.

"What group of outside workers would tolerate (even in war time) being placed in such a position and being left in the dark as to theiir recompense? The Government, itself would not countenance it In the case of outside employees, and yet its own employees are being thus treated," adds the journal.

The journal says that, at the moment some public servants were being paid overtime for hours in excess of 4:0 at time and a half rates, some others arc time and a quarter, the great majority at ordinary rates of pay, and others were receiving no payment, whatever because their rates of salary precluded them ; .

Some departments, too, had been declared essential industries, and possibly others might shortly be dealt with likewise. This might be desirable, but. nevertheless the effect was to bar an employee from solving his own problem by seeking other employment outside the Public Service.

It was stated that the Commit sioner had pointed out. that the question could hardly be discussed and the whole matter was now in the hands of the Government. However, the Commissioner advised the association officially of certain improvements which had been made in the raising of salary limits for the payment of overtime. After discussion with officers of the association, the Commissioner agreed to make a recommendation to the Government that an emergency regulation he brought down to exclude overtime payments as salary for limitation on pension purposes.