HIGHER WAGES WANTED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 214, 10 August 1937, Page 6

HIGHER WAGES WANTED.

EAIPLOYMENT PROAIOTION. REQUEST TO COUNTY COUNCIL. Requesting that the fifteen men employed. m tlie county under the subsidised Employment Bromotion Schema (No. 13), Air J. F. Queenan (union secretary) waited on • the Kairanga County Council, to-day. He stated that when the men were taken on they were under the impression that they would be paid £4 10s a week — that was £4 from tlie Government and 10s from the local authority. This amount was being paid in the city, but in the counties only £4 2s 6d was paid. He asked that the wage be increased to £4 10s. Air Queenan added that be bad a further, matter to bring forward, but lie preferred a decision on this request first. Ho retired from the meeting and the council briefly discussed the matter, deciding eventually to hear the other representations before giving a decision. Air Queenan then advanced tlie argument that the men were really permanent employees of the council and as such were entitled to at least the award rate of £4 6s a week. He said it was only a reasonable request and would create good feeling between the men and their employers if granted. The council again discussed the matter, it being pointed out that in the city, where the men were paid £4 10s, they worked an eight-hour day, whereas in tlie counties fewer hours were worked and transport was provided.

The chairman: We entered into a contract with the Alinister, and I think we should stick to it. How can these men be regarded as permanent employees? Tlie engineer (Air L. C. Pickering) said that it would lie wrong to place the men or the same basis as the council’s regular staff, and it was unanimously decided to take uo action.