DEMANDS FOR HIGHER WAGES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14790, 1 October 1948, Page 3

DEMANDS FOR HIGHER WAGES

CLERICAL WORKERS’ AWARD Comment By Employers’ ; Advocate Claims Should Be Studied (P.A.) Wellington, Sept. 30. “It is time the demand for increased wages should be steadied,” said Mr J. R. Hanlon, advocate for the employers, during discussion in conciliation council of wage claims by the New Zealand Federated Clerical and Office Staff Employees’ Association.

The employees asked that wages for both male and female workers should be raised to £8 10s a week, with' a corresponding increase for junior workers. The present award rates are £7' 2s 9d for males and £4 11s 3d for females. Mr Hanlon said the Federation of Labour was said to be seriously considering requesting that the stabilisation regulations should be amended to allow the Arbitration Court to increase wages. For the employers to agree to increase wages at present would bo very foolish. “If you think you can get more you must ask the Court for it,” he said. No agreement was reached on wages and the question was referred to the Arbitration Court. It was agreed, however, that overtime rates should be raised from the present Is 6d an hour to Is 9d an hour and also tint, workers employed on overtime after 6 p.m. or required to work bevond 1 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday, should be allowed 2s 3d meal money.