STATE WAGE RATES

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25935, 15 October 1949, Page 6

STATE WAGE RATES

Agreement On Tribunal

LEGISLATION NEXT WEEK

(New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 14. Agreement has been reached between the Public Service Association and the Government on the reconstitution of the Government Service Tribunal. No official announcement of the agreement has yet been made. Special legislation to give effect to it will be introduced in Parliament next week. The tribunal will deal with the salaries of members of the Public Service Association, teachers, members of the New Zealand Workers’ Union in the Government service, and several smaller groups. Previously the tribunal has had jurisdiction over salaries up to £825, with certain extensions to cover salaries up to £1025. Under the new agreement it will cover salaries up to £lO6O. Constitution of Tribunal The tribunal will have a chairman and a Government member, both appointed by the Government, and a workers’ representative. Provision will be made for conciliation proceedings before tribunal hearings. An application by the Public Service Commission to the Government Service Tribunal as at present constituted for the application of a £l3 a year increase to the Public Service to bring it into line with other recent increases has been held over for a fortnight. pending the introduction of new legislation. As soon as the tribunal is reconstituted the Public Service Association will lodge comprehensive claims for salary increases. The agreement is the result of negotiation over more than a year. The Public Service Association at present refuses to comment on the reported terms, but will report to members at a public meeting in the Wellington Town Hall next Thursday.