AUCKLAND NURSES’ SALARIES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23299, 8 April 1941, Page 6

AUCKLAND NURSES’ SALARIES

Motion Giving Increase Rescinded (P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 7. A resolution passed at the last meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board, granting the nurses an increase of £5 a year in salary, was rescinded at to-night's meeting of the board on a motion of which the chairman (Mr Allan Moody) had given notice. Mr Moody said that at the previous meeting, whfen the annual report on salaries was befpre the board, a member had mdyed a snap motion to give the nurses an increase of £lO. When this was defeated, another member had moved an increase of £5, (pnd the majority of the board had fallen into the trap. The increase had never been asked for by the nurses. They had received a 5 per cent, increase not long ago, and their present salaries, in successive years, were £54 12s, £65 2s, £75 12s, and £99 15s. Their board and lodging was worth a further 30s a week. They had additional perquisites, including free uniforms and laundry, and received free training for a profession in which they could earn a good living in almost any part of the world. He felt that- if any class of employee deserved an increase it was the sisters in charge of the wards. The decision involved an additional £2500 a year, which, in face of the present general outlook, was unjustifiable. The motion was carried by six votes to five.