P. & T. DISPUTE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1924, Page 3

P. & T. DISPUTE.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT,

WESTPORT P. AND T. MEM.

WESTPORT, April 2i

The local Post and Telegraph employees are awaiting instructions from the Central Executive in regard to the classification and wages question. Beyond this there is nothing to report.

STATEMENT BY MR COATES

WELLINGTON, April 2(5

In the course of a statement made this afternoon to a deputation from the P. and T. Association, the Post-master-General said: “In Saturday’s “Times” Mr Coates is reported as having said that the P. and T. Association’s proposals provided for an increase of £ls for the Clerical Division officers,'and £-*2 for the officers of the General Division, based strictly on the 191-1 salary shednles, plus the cost of living increase in that year. The Association’s proposals were said to average £3O per officer over the whole of the service. As shown above, the total salaries and wages paid for the year ended -March 31 last was £1,803,421. If the Association proposals were agrede to the expenditure on salaries and wages during the current financial year would he £2,317,051, an increase of £151,227. As the permanent officers and temporary employees number 9137, it will he seen that an average increase of £-19 1-13 per man has been claimed by the Association. “In addition, ” stated Llio Minister, “the general average proposed by the Department was 59 per cent, above 1914, whereas the average general increase under the P. and T. Association was 90 per cent over . 1914. As promised he had placed the whole position before Cabinet, and Cabinet has asked him to convey to the Association the intimation that Cobinet is not prepared to further consider the requests of the P. and X- officers until the present difficulty in connection with the railwaymen is out of the way. That was all lie could say at the moment.”

Mr. Collins ( President) asked the Minister to give ihe deputation a copy of his statement, so that they could consider it and discuss it with him later on, ns, in view ol the attitude of the Cabinet, they could do nothing at that stage.

Mr. Coombs (.Secretary) asked if Hie Cabinet's communication did not mean that the !’. and T. case for an increase in wages and salaries warn wrapped up in the railway's efforts to gain an increase, and that the negotiations Mere suspended.

The Minister said he could not see that, it meant that t.he Cabinet did noi feel like taking the matter in hand until ihe railway 'trouble was out ol the way hut he was prepared continue negotiations. They Intel his statement to consider.

“Well, it seem sto me,” said .Ur Coombs, “that in effect wo are told to go about our own business until the railway Dispute is over.”

"You may make what deductions you like,” replied the Minister . “I have told you what the position is. I am not telling you to go ahoftt your business.” Mr Coombs: “Cabinet did though.” The .Minister: f "l ihave conveyed Cabinet’s decision.” THE ASSOCIATION'S REPLY. REFERRING MATTER TO SERVICE. WELLINGTON. April 28. The Post and Telegraph Officers Association. complain that Hon. J. G. Contes’ statement was not, delivered to them in time to frame a reply before the telegraph closed. They go on to say that the fact which stands out most clearly is the Posuiiister-Geiiernl’s avoidance of any reference to the leading principle of the Association’s request. namely: the basic wage of 1914. plus, the known increase in the cost of living. That principle was recognised liv himself in 1920. hut to-day is ignored. Tie refers to the demand for a basic wage of £-1 10s, weekly, but merely discusses the possibility of certain unmarried men getting substantial increases if this is adopted, and omits reference to the married men with dependents. In his reference to employees qualifying by examination for higher positions, he omits a number who have tried to pass and lailed. Another important factor overlooked is that promotion usually means a. transfer and expenses and rather than break up his home and interfere with his children’s education, officers refrain from applying. Tn any case, there are 250 waiting and most of them have been on tlie waiting list for years. Apart from this the Association holds that men should bo tmid on the value of the work he is called on to perform, whereas employees who are highly skilled workei• are paid less than similar men, linotype operators for instance. Some attention must be given to tlie desiic of the service to have the increment climb from the minimum to maximum speeded ui). Tn 1918 this was the policy of the department itself, for it submitted proposals to reduce the period from 14 years to eight. It is strange now to find it is strenouslv defending 11 years. Mr Coates was also misinformed as t'> bank bonuses. Two banks have paid 10 t., 13 per cent to their officers. The Association insists that Mr Coates reply shows their case is hound id with the railway dispute, and will receive no consideration till the latter is settled. In view of this, they have no recourse hut to refer the whole matter to the Service.