ARMY EMPLOYEES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 5

ARMY EMPLOYEES.

CIVILIAN STAFFS.

QUESTION OF OVERTIME.

Civilian clerical staffs employed by the Army at headquarters offices have received advice that overtime will not •be paid in future for less than three hours' continuous work, and unless 12 hours' overtime is worked in any month. It is also pointed out that overtime will be paid only in respect to non-routine work. As considerable overtime has been worked by these staffs since the outbreak of war, for which they have been paid at ordinary rates, employees are greatly concerned at the change in policy. They state that all their work

is routine, and much has to be done after the ordinary day's work is completed. In order to qualify now for pay at ordinary rates for work in excess of 40 hours a week, they will be required to work at least three hours continuously each week for a month. In the various offices throughout the Dominion there are many such civilian clerks. They are temporary in status as far as the Public Service is concerned. It is stated that the salaries paid for work that is in many cases of considerable importance is lower than that of similar nature in private firms. A man under 26 years receives up to £220 per annum. Over that age he receives £235 1 under 12 months' service, and £255 after a year's service. The maximum possible is under £300. In each instance the 5 per cent bonus should be added. In view of the overtime necessary at i broken periods and the comparatively ! low scale of pay, the men have expressed i the opinion that the narrow qualifying : limits should be removed.