PAY IN THE POSTAL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 187, 4 May 1920, Page 8

PAY IN THE POSTAL SERVICE

THE GROUNDS OF COMPLAINT

EMPLOYEES' CASE STATED

Bj Telecraph—Prosa Association. Hamilton, May 1. Mr W. S. Brown, vice-president of the North Island Post and Telegraph Officers' Association, interviewed >egarding the meaning of the resolutions passed in various parts of the country, said that the position was one requiring a frank expression of opinion. In 1914 the whole service considered themselves inadequately paid, and sinco then tho officers had not endeavoured to embarrass the Department. They had accepted a war bonus as a part measure of meeting tho increased cost of living. However, tho cost of livi.ie had now outgrown the war bonus allotted. The Government had decided, in 1918, that a reclassification of tho service was essential. The revised reclassification list of last year proved totally inadequate, moro especially in tho rank and file. Th i officers consider that they are entitled to maintain tho pre-war standard of living, The service holds that it 13 entitled to at least a salary based on pre-war rates, with the annual increments to which tho officers are entitled before reaching the maximum of their respective classes, plus 62 per cent., which tho Government itself assesses as tho increased cost of living.

Mr. Brown submitted that the maximum salary of the officers' department was not commensurate with the work performed. Resignations were common throughout the service. Officers were receiving only 13s. per day, which compared very unfavourably with tho rates ruling outside. So far as. the present crisis was contcrned, the Prime Minister had stated that whatever was granted to the railway service would be given to the rest of the Public Service. This includes the Post and Telegraph members, vlie are directly concerned with the success or failure "of the cause of tho railwaymen. Since February 5 last the executive had been endeavouring to secure an interview with the Postmaster-Gen-eral and the Prime .Minister to discuss grievances, but the latter had not, so fa", replied to the last communication on the subject made by the permanent secretary of the association. Writing on February 5, the Prime Minister promised to fix a time to meet the association

Asked how the executive would view the situation if the Pririio Minister did riot consent in the matter, Mr. Brown said they view the position as one of the. greatest | seriousness. "Unfortunately, the public, and not the Government, would suffer, but he thought the public were sympathetic, t.nd wise counselling on the part of the public with the Government could avoid the most serious crisis the association had ever had to face. He believed that public opinion was strong enough to prevail on the statesmen of tho country.

CONFERENCE WITH MINISTERS TO-DAY. The executive of the Post and Telegraph Association is to meet the Prime Minister and the Postmaster-General today to discuss the grievances cherished by members of the service regarding pay. In the meantime there have been several resolutions carried by branches of the association urging that the executive should talce some more vigorous action In the event of tho demands of the association'not being acceded to. A GISBORNE RESOLUTION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, May 3. At a meeting of the P. and T. Officers' Association tho following resolution was passed: "That this meeting of the Gisborne section strongly supports the Executive Committee in measures which have been talcen to obtain a fair remun-eration-for officers of the Department,, and further pledges itself to support the executive in any further legitimate action it mav deem necessary to bring the negotiations to a satisfactory' conclusion: the branch also congratulates the railwayuien on the success' of their efforts to obtain remuneration commensurate with the increased cost of living."