F.O.L. Seeks 8.8 p.c. Wage Rise

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 3

F.O.L. Seeks 8.8 p.c. Wage Rise

(N.Z Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 13. The New Zealand Federation of Labour today lodged an application for a general order increasing wages by 8.8 per cent, its president, Mr T. E. Skinner, announced. He said this was based on 6.3 per cent on account of higher prices and 2.5 on account of productivity that had not been rewarded by increases since the last general order two years ago. “It is now two years since the Arbitration Court made its

last general order increasing rates of wages. In that time, retail prices have continued to rise, reducing the value of money and, consequently, of wages. Production has also risen, the output per worker in industry increasing and the gross national product be coming greater each year," Mr Skinner said.

“The position concerning prices is that, since the Court last considered the relation of retail prices and wages rates, the consumers’ price index has risen by 6.3 per cent, equivalent to an increase of Is 3d in the pound. “There is no precise mea-l sure of the gains in productivity in the last two years, but it is known that they have been substantial and that the claim made in this application understates the actual increase,” he said. Mr Skinner said the application was filed about midday in the name of the New Zealand Carpenters’ Union. The hearing would be “as soon as the Court can give us a date. We are hoping for next month.”

He hoped the Court’s decision would be promulgated before October.