HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKERS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26987, 12 March 1953, Page 7

HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKERS

CLAIM FOR HIGHER WAGES TRIBUNAL’S DECISION ANNOUNCED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 11. The Government Service Tribunal has rejected the major, portion of the claims lodged by the Public Service Association on behalf of hydro-electric workers. The Public Service Commission at the hearing submitted that the over-all position of the workers was favourable, and that this was illustrated by the fewness of vacancies existing. It also submitted that the workers had advantages such as low rentals for houses and cheap electricity. The tribunal rejected the claim that all time worked outside or in excess of the ordinary hours of work should be treated as overtime, on the ground that though the tribunal’s own orders applied this provision to casual workers, there was no precedent for its adoption in the conditions of employment governing permanent Public Service staff. Another claim rejected was for overtime rates of pay occupied in travelling from the depot to the job and return outside the ordinary hours of work. Overtime rates on Saturdays will now be at time and a half for the first four hours, and thereafter at double time. The association asked for double time after three hours. Various allowances were granted dealing with dirt money, and a new basis was introduced for the payment of higher duties allowance to men acting in higher positions.