P. & T. Workers Given Wage Increase

Chronicle (Levin), 2 August 1949, Page 2

P. & T. Workers Given Wage Increase

WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. A general wage increase for Post and Telegraph Departmeut employees was announced today. The lindin^ of the Post and Telegraph gtaff Tnbunal is tliat inereases are justified to all classified first and second division employeet and temporary employees. The inereases are based at £13 a year to those whose salary exceeds the rate of £41- a year and over, £8 to those on between £298 and £411 and £5 to those whose salaries do not,exceed £297. i The statement announcing the deeision says the" equivalent hoitrly and weekly rates applyiiig in each brackot will be l|d an hour or 5s a week, ld au hour or 3s 4d a week, and 4d an hour or ls 8d a week. Temporary female office cleaners will receive a pro rata weekly increase based on the rate oi Ld an hour, according to the nurnber of hours worked on the full working Week of 40 hours. The statement announcing the decision says the increased rates will operate from June^l last but will not be regarded as operative until incorporated in a departmental circular memorandum which will be drafted immediately. Claims for ; inereases were heard on July 12 before the tribunal comprising Judge Stiiwell (chairman), Mr J. .j. Knight for the Post Office administration$ and Mrffis J. Mclvor for the P. and T. Employe.es', Association. Mr Mclv or dissented to the deeision i on th,e_ g£Ounds^--444h&t.-4.he--.kior«ase« granted is sufficient to place a Post- , Office employee only in the same relaj tive position which lie occupied on 1 October 1, 194 7> a lio&ition I believe to be unsatisfactory. The deeision indicates that the Tribunal has not given sufficient regkrd to wages paid in industry. Sueh a failure makes it impossibie to grant ecpity to the Post Office w;orker. ' '