WAGE INCREASE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21215, 11 September 1940, Page 6

WAGE INCREASE

NON-UNION EMPLOYEES QUESTION OF EXTRA 5 PER CENT POWER BOARD’S VIEWS After debating for a considerable time the question, of paying a 5 per cent, increase to employees not covered by an award, the Central Waikato Electric Power Board voted today that all non-union employees should receive the benefit. On salaries over £4OO, however, the increase would be subject to the consent of the Electricity Controller. The decision was reached in approving of a recommendation of the finance committee. Objection was expressed by Mr J. A. Sampson and Mr R. G. Young, both of whom stated that their stand was based solely on policy and was not directed at the higher-salaried employees concerned. Amendment Lost Mr Young moved an amendment that the increase of •5 per cent, should apply to salaries not covered by an award up to £390 only. The amendment, seconded by Mr Sampson, was lost by three votes to five. If the controller approves, therefore, all salaries will be increased by 5 per cent. Mr Sampson said that, although i: would be fair that all people should benefit if one section did, the position was that the Government had not adopted that attitude. He would not have thought the farmer should receive a bigger guaranteed price if ether sections of the community had remained on the same level. As it was the farmer should now benefit and until he did the non-union employees of the board should not receive an increase for it would mean passing on the burden to the primary producer. Mr Sampson added that the Price Tribunal should have been able to keep down the cost of living. What Increase Would Mean All the boards profits, Mr Sampson continued, could be used for strengthening the lines. Increasing i s “ laries > therefore, would mean that | either the cost of power to the consumer would have to be increased, or the board’s service would have to be decreased. Considering that the primary producer should fight to put forth his claims to a 5 per cent, increase in tne guaranteed price, Mr F L Onion expressed the view that the 5 per cent, wage increase should apply to all employees. The secretary-treasurer, Mr H J Beeche said that including all employees the charge to the revenue account would be £BBO. The remaining cost of wage increases, amounting to about £520 a year if all employees were included, would come from the loan account. Mr N. Reid approved of the suggestion that all employees should receive the extra 5 per cent. The man or. a higher salary haol to pay more taxation and was, therefore, entitled to an increase.