BOROUGH EMPLOYEES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 April 1939, Page 4

BOROUGH EMPLOYEES

COMPULSORY RETIREMENT AT 65 NO BONUSES TO BE GRANTED. DECISION OF COUNCIL. The compulsory retirement of all borough employees on reaching the age of 65 years, was decided upon by the Masterton Borough Council at a special meeting last night following on a discussion on the reorganisation of the staff in light of the Social Security Act. No retiring bonuses will be paid to employees, but they will receive one week’s notice for every year they have been in the employ of the borough beyond ten. should they desire to continue in work. A proposal that sick pay by the council be limited to one week only, and that the employee then invoke the provision of the Social Security Act was deferred until the next meeting of the Council pending further information. Councillor H. E. Gardner said he had been nearly killed for mentioning the question of a reorganisation of the borough staff. There was, however, nothing personal about it. The Mayor, Mr. T. Jordan, “No one would suggest that.” Councillor Gardner considered that the council should pay sick pay for the first seven days only, after which the employee would benefit under the Social Security Act. Now that the Act was in force it was not fair that the local bodies should carry the burden. Mr Jordan: “1 am pleased to hear you say that.’ Councillor Gardner moved that all borough employees retire on reaching the age of 65 years and further that sick pay be limited to one week only. Mr Jordan: “If the employees are provided for under the Social Security Act. the ratepayers should not be called upon to pay twice. We have always been more generous than the awards.” Councillor G. D. Wilson: “There should be some sentiment about it. It is incumbent on us to look after our men when they are on the sick list. If a man is fit to render service to the borough, and is rendering it, he should be allowed to carry on until he is even 75.” He suggested that the motion referring to sick pay should be deferred until the next meeting in order to find out what benefits would be available under the Social Security Act. That suggestion was adopted. Referring to the retiring age proposal Councillor Morice said he had always approved of that provision which as a principle was unassailable. An avenue of advancement had to be provided for the younger members of the staff. A retiring age provision would make for the greater efficiency of the service.

On being put to the meeting, the motion was carried by 8 votes to 4. The voting was: For: Councillor J. Ninnes, G. W. Morice, A. T. Jackson, H. E. Gardner, W. Kemp, W. Judd, A. D. Low, and W. White; Against: The Mayor, Councillors, R. Russell. T. Beetham and G. .D. Wilson.

It was decided that no retiring bonuses be granted, and that, the employees retiring at '65 be given one week’s notice for every year of service beyond 10.