AIRLINE PILOTS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 12

AIRLINE PILOTS

New Award Sought (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 16. “The New Zealand airline pilot is now among the lowest paid in the world,” Captain N. Clarke, of the New Zealand Airline Pilots' Union, told the Arbitration Court today before Mr Justice Tyndall. A joint application for a review of the salary clause in the North Island pilots' award was made to the Court by the New Zealand Airline Pilots' Union and employers (N-AIC., S.A.FIE., and T.E.A.L.). Mr G. A. Turner appeared for the employers. Captain Clarke said the history of the airline pilots economic position in relation to the rest of the community was one of a continuing loss in the margin to which he was justly entitled by reason of the skill and responsibility inherent in his profession. The present salary scale for airline officers ranges from £754 for a pilot under training to £2668 for Electra captains and £2534 for Viscount captains. Mr Turner said the joint application did not mean employers were in favour of a salary rise. In fact, they opposed it. They considered that an increase was not justified, but they had agreed to allow the question to be put to the Court before expiry of the current award next November. The Court reserved its decision.