NOT ENTITLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 181, 3 August 1939, Page 12

NOT ENTITLED.

TO SPECIAL PAYMENTS.

TRANSPORT ENGINEERS

An interpretation of the Auckland Transport Board Engineers' award was given in the Arbitration Court this morning by Mr. J. A. Gilmour. S.M. He ruled that tradesmen employed on welding or dirty work were not entitled to a sum in addition to the wage rate of 2/10.J an hour.

'"Iliis application is in respect of a somewhat unusually worded clause in the award," stated Mr. Gilmour. "The only hourly rate fixed by the award is 2/10}, but a further sub-clause states that notwithstanding anything contained in the award, should the Court fix a higher rate for any worker, such higher rate shall be paid." Mr. Gilmour said 110 provision was made for additional payments to cover welding or dirty work. Some time later, he added, a metal trades workers' award was framed, containing provision for additional payments. The union contended that Transport Board employees were entitled to the payments. '"I do not think this contention can be sustained," he concluded. "It seems clear to me that the 'higher rate' referred to in the sub-clause relates only to ordinary hourly wage rates and not to any special payments that might be fixed for welding and dirty work."