TECHNICIANS’ SALARIES

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28269, 6 May 1957, Page 13

TECHNICIANS’ SALARIES

Criticism Of Health Department

The administration* by the Health Department, of salaries of members of the Orthopaedic Technicians’ Association was strongly criticised the final day of the association’s conference in Christchurch.

A remit, placed before the conference by the Wellington branch, asked for a strong protest, through the General Salaries Advisory Committee, to the Health Department at the long delays in hearing and gazetting wages claims and submissions on working conditions.

Since December, 1955, the association had not had a chance to substantiate wages claims, said the secretary (Mr M. Varley, of Auckland). A rise paid out In November last year was not gazetted until April 3, 1957, he said. “We are 18 months behind in lost ground.” “This remit is something of a hardy annual,” said Mr H. McLeod, of Gisborne. The remit was passed unanimously. A Christchurch remit, asking for a yearly £1 tool allowance from the Hospital Boards’ Association, was lost. Later in the meeting it was decided to ask hospital boards to provide orthopaedic technicians with tools. Officers elected were:—president, Mr H. McLeod (Gisborne); secretary-treasurer, Mr M. Varley (Auckland); council, Messrs A.

Lineham (Hamilton)., McLeod, G. McCaw (Wellington). N. Allen (Wellington) and W. O’Connor (Dunedin).

Much of their work brought technicians in direct contact with patients, the Medical Superintendent of the Christchurch Hospital (Dr. T. Morton) said when he opened the conference. They should make it obvious that they were dealing with the patient in a human and humane fashion, he said.

Mr A. B. Mackenzie, orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital, spoke on orthopaedic conditions for which technicians made splints and boots, and on surgery done for hip joints and hands and short legs in relation to internal and external splinting.