POWER SUPPLY WORKERS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27429, 16 August 1954, Page 8

POWER SUPPLY WORKERS

HIGHER WAGES IN NEW AWARD Increased minimum wage rates are granted to employees of Marlborough, Nelson, Westland and Canterbury electric power board and supply authorities in a new award issued by the Court of Arbitration. In a memorandum to the award, Mr Justice Tyndall says it embodies the terips of settlement arrived at by the assessors in Conciliation Council. Wages have been made payable retrospectively from July 1, m accordance with the agreement of the parties. In other respects the award came into force on August 11, and it will remain in force until February 11, 1956. The weekly wage increases are: inspectors, 6s 10d; electricians and diesel plant operators, 3s 4d; servicemen with registered A certificate, 6s lOd; servicemen with registered B certificates, other servicemen, storemen, meter testers, linesmen, linesmen’s assistants, workshop and test-room assistants, permanent labourers at hydro stations, racemen and labourers, 3s 4d.

First-year employees between the ages of 17 and 20 years will receive increases of 3s 4d a week.

All wage rates are subject to the court’s 10 per cent, general order increase.

AH necessary tools will be provided by the employer, unless he elects to pay a worker Id an hour extra as a tool allowance. Where it is agreed between the union and the employer that overalls are necessary, an allowance of Is 8d a week will be paid. Workers employed on oxy-acetylene, al —

coal-gas, or electric welding, except on spot or butt-welding machines, for less than four hours in a day will be paid Is 5d a day extra, and for more than four hours in a day 2s 3Jd a day extra. The allowances payable to workers using their own vehicles on their employers* business will be: motor vehicles up to 9.5 h,p„ 7d a mile; 9.6 h.p. to 14.5 h.p., B£d a mile; more than 14.5 h.p., 9Jd a mile; motor-cycles, 3d a mile; bicycle, 3s a week.