RAILWAY EMPLOYES' OVERTIME AND SICK PAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1717, 21 August 1879, Page 3

RAILWAY EMPLOYES' OVERTIME AND SICK PAY.

■ With reference to circular No. 25, the following reports appear in different papers, of a question asked in the House, but tho circular itself evidently contradicts the statements of the Hon. the Minister of Public Work and Sir George Grey : —The Pbess report was :—" Mr Russell asked whether the Commissioner of Railways' circular No. 25 applies to all grades employed on New Zealand railways, and why the employes of the department are placed at a serious disadvantage compared with other branches of the public service. Mr Macandrew said the regulation only referred to the payment of overtime, but the matter was under revision, and an alteration might be made to meet the circumstances brought tinder notice." The "N.Z. Times" report was :—"ln answer to a question from Captain Bussell, Sir George Grey replied that the raiiway employes received half-pay during time of sickness, and that enquiry should be made into a case to which Captain Bussell referred." The " Otago Daily Times" report was : —" Captain Bussell asked whether Commissioner of Railways' circular No. 25, .paragraph 7, applies to all grades employed on New Zealand railways, and if not, why •employes of the Railway Department are placed at so grievous a disadvantage as compared with other branches of the publio sor- | 'vice. The Minister of Public Works said it only applied to those that were paid overtime; all received half-pay when absent from sickness." The following is the circular refeired to : '" From and after the sth May instant the following instructions are in force in the matter of overtime and allowances. All employees will be required to work fortyeight hours per week and allowance for overtime will be given as hereinafter stated for ■any work required to bo done in excess of the forty-eight hours. Gangers inspecting their lengths before the passing of the first train every morning will not receive any overtime allowance for this duty. Tho pay of all employes will be stopped during sickneas, and whenever holidays are granted. Half pay will be allowed for three months, and quarter pay for ensuing three months to employes suffaring and unable to work from effect of accidents sustained in the execution of duty, provided such has not originated through their own neglect. Overtime up to twelve midnight to be paid at ordinary rates as follows :—8 am.to 5 p.m., eight hours ; 5 p.m. to twelve midnight, six hours, so that not more than fourteen hours can be made between eight a.m. and twolve midnight. After midnight double rates will ho paid, and on Sundaya a rate and a half. For work after midnight and on Sundays, an equivalent number of hours at ordinary rates to represent rfche amount of overtime."