PUBLIC SERVICE SALARIES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 267, 24 August 1949, Page 4

PUBLIC SERVICE SALARIES

Suggestions for Tribunal ASSOCIATION’S EIGHT POINTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. “As representatives of a. depressed class you are all looking remarkably well,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) at the annual meeting to-day of the Public Service Association. Mr Fraser said the Government could not subscribe to the proposal that, because one class or section of workers had received a percentage increase in remuneration, those on the higher salary levels should receive a similar percentage.

His remark followed a statement by the president of, the association (Mr J. P. Lewin) that there was wide dissatisfaction over the relative economic status of members of the Public Service within the community. “The days when public servants were a privileged section of the community are gone,” said Mr Lewin. “We cannot accept with resignation the depressed position into which public servants as a class have fallen.” Mr Fraser said the Government was unable to accept the principle of relativity -in the remuneration of its civil, servants. It was anxious to be a good employer and be fair to its employees, but to say that because Social Security benefits had been increased by such and such a percentage everyone should receive a. like percentage was to argue for departure from the foundation principle of the Labour Government that those on the lower levels should be raised to a more favourable level.

; • ’ Submission to Tribunal The Government charged with the best distribution of the wealth of the country, simply could not proceed on the basis of the argument that because some workers received increases of 48, 80, or 100 per cent., those on higher levels should receive equal percentage increases, said Mr Fraser. The Government was quite prepared that those -matters should be argued before a well-balanced tribunal, which could well be the means of restoring cordial relations between the Public Service and the Government. Eight points that the association had submitted on the constitution of he tribunal would be most carefully considered. Mr Lewin said the eight points represented to Mr Fraser were: Replacement of the present tribunal of three men by a tribunal of five men. Joint selection by the organisations concerned of the permanent workers’ representative. Conferment of the status of judge on the president of the tribunal. Raising the tribunal’s jurisdiction over salaries to £I3OO or at least to the limit of the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission. Provision for prior conciliation pro- ( cedure. Unequivocal provision for occupational class (etc.) salary cases to be heard without the lapse of a year after the promulgation of a general salary order. Adequate salaries for permanent tribunal members and fees for others. • If possible separation of the personnel of the tribunal from that of the Railways tribunal or other tribunals.