BANK CLERKS AND SALARIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 171, 14 April 1919, Page 6

BANK CLERKS AND SALARIES

Sir-Eeferring to the abovo subject, "Lancelot" is to be commended for introducing the matter to the public notice; It is surprising that bank clerks should so long havo suffered in silence, particularly during tho last four years, when the position has been positively acute. Tho temporary 10 per cent, addition has been a slight help, but is regarded by tho far-seeing as a wolf in sheep's clothing, in so much that being only temporary the permanent increases in salary which qvery clerk has a right to expect havo not been so numerous nor as large. It is an indisputable fact that groat numbers of bank clerks are in a worse position financially to-day than before tho war. Added to which families havo increased both in number and cost of maintenance. Is it at all surprising that one reads of a bank clerk, a married man, having defaulted to tho extent of ,£100? How i? a married man with a family of, say, two or three, possibly going to live in a manner befitting his position,.and maintain the "appearances" which his institution expects, on a salary of £2M per annum, and this after twenty years' faithful servicer Tho matter of a bank clerks' union is now being freely discussed, and it is to bo hoped will result in something definite being done It behoves each bank to form an organisation of its own officers,' and then amalgamate. Workers of every class are clamouring for increased wages, and it is a fact that unskilled labourers on tho wharves can earn more now than the average bark clerk, and have not nearly tho saino living expenditure. Let the bank directors bestir themselves, as this discontent is very real, and almost universal, and something very substantial is necessary to meet the position.

Mr. Justice Stringer, commenting on tho position, remarked''that until the Government adopts some effective measure to deal with tho cost of living wages must go on increasing. In justice let ine say that bank clerks who have been absent on aclivo service, and are now rejoining, are being very liberally treated as regards increase on tho salary they wero earning before leaving for the front, but do not let us kso sight of the fact that many who wero unable to' get away did good work for the Empire out here, as woll as their full duty to their bank, and are practically on the same salary as upon the outbreak of war. Judging by the letters which have appeared in your valuable paper, some on behalf of the junior members, somo on behalf of tho married men, thus showing that the higher grarW men are not receiving sufficient, it would appear that the whole banks' service from highest to lowest is substantially underpaid.—l am, etc., .UNDIVIDED PROFIT.