PUBLIC WORKS WAGES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 70, 19 September 1930, Page 8

PUBLIC WORKS WAGES

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—May I be permitted to correct the statements of the Acting-Prime Minister in regard to his recent denial of the reduction of wages at the stores, etc., of the Public Works Department. The Minister states they have only taken away what lias been in force for ever 20 years (which he considers is not a cut in wages), and that the men still receive payment according to award rates. I would now like to ask the Acting-Prime Minister if he will consider increasing the wages of those officers who are now on the bare award rates to the same level aa those men who get above the award rates, and who do not feel the loss of the so-called concession the same, and at the same time in many cases perform duties of a minor importance. This should not constitute a great difficulty, iv view of the fact that just recently the 7 hour per day staff have had an increase of wages all round, amounting to thousands of pounds, and who are not subject to any award rates. We of the working staff have one wage to endure for a lifetime, and as for concessions, receive the least of iiViy Government Department. All other Government Departments pay their, mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, etc., considerably more than the Public Works do, and give the staff more opnninps for advancement in life.— SUFFERER.