COMPUTATION OF OVERTIME

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27206, 25 November 1953, Page 12

COMPUTATION OF OVERTIME

“NOT BASED ON NEW WAGE”

INTERPRETATION OF COURT ORDER

(New Association) AUCKLAND, November 24.

The Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association thinks that overtime pay under the Arbitration Court’s new wage order should be calculated from existing award rates —not award rates plus 10 per cent. In a circular to members today the association says fhe simplest method of calculating the increase is to take the weekly earnings of any workers under awards, including overtime and special payments, but excluding tool, bicycle, motor vehicle, and special clothing and footwear payments; then to make additions as follows:

Adult male workers: if the weekly total is £l2 or more, add £1 4s; if less, add 10 per cent. Women: if the total is £9 or more a week, add 18s; if less, add 10 per cent.

Juniors, including apprentices under 21: if the total is £7 or more, add 14s; if less than £7, add 10 per cent.

“I agree with the substance of the message, with the exception of the mention of apprentices,” said the secretary of the Canterbury Employers’ Association (Mr H. F. Butland) last evening. “I think apprentices are in a special class. They were not covered by the order, and I am not prepared to agree or disagree with what Auckland thinks. Apart from that one thing, the practical application of the order is that set out here. I have informed local members to that effect.”