CLERICAL WORKERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1938, Page 7

CLERICAL WORKERS

HOURS AND WAGES CLAIMS SUBMISSION TO COURT By Telegraph.—Press Association, WELLINGTON, This Day. The case of the New Zealand Clerical Workers’ Union for an award for clerical workers in the Northern, Wellington (within 25 miles), Westland, Otago and Southland industrial districts was presented to the Second Court of Arbitration at Wellington yesterday.

Outlining the claims, Mr Pharazyn said they could be summarised as requests for (1) a clear definition as to whom the award applied to; (2) that wages of females should be brought nearer those of males; (3) special provisions for highly qualified women; (4) that the present arrangement regarding hours of work be abandoned and clear provisions made for hours of work and overtime; (5) 14 days' paid holiday. As soon as the award was issued it was proposed to apply for a similar award covering the remaining industrial districts, which would enable application to be then made for a single award covering clerical workers throughout the Dominion.

The claims for wages for males were very moderate, said Mr Pharazyn, and differed from the employers’ counterproposals in few respects. The claims were: —

Males. Under 16 years, £l, rising to £6 in the eleventh year; 1G to 17, £l, to £G in the tenth year; 17 to 18, £1 ss, to £G in the tenth year; 18 to 19, £1 12s Gd, to £6 in the tenth year; 20 to 21. £2 15s, to £6 in the ninth year; 21 and over, £3 16s to £6 in sixth year. Females: Under 18 years, £l, rising to £3 15s in seventh year; 18 to 19. 22s Gd, to £3 15s in seventh year; 19 to 20. 245, to £3 15s in seventh year; 20 to 21, 27s to £3 15s in seventh year; 21 years and over, 3Gs, to £3 15s in sixth year.

A slight increase was sought in the first and second year of service of juniors who started their employment under the age of IG, and two years had been added to the scale, raising the minimum for a fully qualified worker to £G in his sixth to eleventh year of service according to his age when he started.

The case for the workers and the hearing of evidence tendered by them was completed yesterday. Mr Bishop is stating the employers case today.