RETRENCHMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1922, Page 4

RETRENCHMENT.

..... -«««- SALARY AND WAGES CUT

HOW IT AFFECTS RAILWAYMEN. Definite instructions regarding the effect of the Public Expenditure Adjustment Act upon the members of [the railway sendee, have been supplied Il)y cirenular to each individual member who is asked to peruse the circular and forward a receipt for same, stating that, he has read it, and understands its

provisions. Tlie instructions do not apply to I engine-drivers, niglit foremen of cleaners, firemen or cleaners, who do not come within the scope of the Act It is understood, however, that these members, will be asked to revert to a forty-eiglit hour week in place of the present forty-four boor week. The following are the reductions per annum : —Salaries over £SOO per annum. biit not exceeding £BOO per annmP, £25 reduction; over £320, but not exceeding £SOO, £2O; over £IOO, £10; members paid at a dnily or hourly rate', where rate of remuneration exceeds £3*2o per annum (2s Old per hour) 1* 4d' per day; where rate exceeds £IOO (l*s 7fd) but does not exceed' G 320 (2s Old) Is; where rate does not exceed £l9o’ (Is 7?d) Bd. Tt is provided that no member, who is married, or who is a widower with a child or children under the age of sixteen years living with and dependent upon him, shall he paid at a lower rate than £219 2s per annum, and that no member who is twenty-two years of age or upwards shall he paid at a lower rate, than £9O per annum. Tho reductions are to apply to all permanent and casual, employees other than ito- casual's employed from hour to hour. Casua,ls employed from hour to. hour iii3;e to, l>e paid at Is lid per hour instead, of| 2-s Old as formerly, i Overtime rates and rateß for Sunday. duty nnd Departmental holidays for members of the Second Division and permanent casuals are to he computed'on the reduced rates. The rates of pay for Sundays and holidays, for members of the First Division, are to, be as follows from, January 1, 1922:—Members in receipt of over £27.0 per a pinny, 3s 8d iter hour ; over £2OO but not exceeding £270, 3s sd; over £165 lmt not exceeding £2OO 2s 9d ; not mote than £165, 2s. isolation, allowances, night allowances and any other allowances are to be paid at the same rates as previously, subject to, the provision that when the rate of any allowance depends on a member’s rate of pay the rate of such allowance shall be determined by the reduced, rates of pay. A contributor to the Railway Superannuation Fund may elect to continue to contribute to the fund as if his salary or wagea had not been

redacted a-nd every member so conI trbnting shall: be entitled on retirei ment to a retiring- allowance (if any) ion the same amount as that to which • he would have been entitled if bis salary or wages had not been reduced , Unless a member elects to contribute j on the higher, rate, superannuation de--1 ductipns are to be based on the reduced rate. Members who elect to contribute at the reduced rate are to be credited with the difference between the amount of' the • eoiitributipps they were formerly paying and ; the low rate, for the period -they we.re“paying tig:, higher rate. It is explained that members have beep overpaid fropi .January Is to, Feb. i-pary 4th. gnd these overpayments. vfill ' by. deducted in four equal parts from ‘ the pay-sheets for the two weejts ending February 18th., March 4th., Mgr oh 1.8 th., March 31st. 1 j It is provided that regulations lgay r be made for the adjustment of anomalies or for the relief- of, cases of hard-

ship.. the reduced rate of salary or wages is to appear oil all pay sheets for the fortnight, egdpd on Saturday. Members who were granted, and had actually commenced their final leave of nhsenpe on or before January 3Q, prior to retiring on superannuation, are exempt from the reductions.