HEALTH DEPARTMENT NURSES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27637, 19 April 1955, Page 3

HEALTH DEPARTMENT NURSES

WAGE INCREASES SOUGHT (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 18. Annual wage increases for Health Department nurses ranging from £ll 10s to £44 were sought by the Public Service Association in an application before the Government Service Tribunal today. Most of those affected are public health nurses, and the rest are employed in St. Helens Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rotorua, the Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer Springs, and health camps. Mr F. D. Winter, who appeared on behalf of the association, told the tribunal that the same increases given to other public servants because of rates “generally prevailing in industry” should be given to nurses in the Public Service. He asked for the rises to be made effective from November 11, 1954. f

The order for which he asked would restore in some degree the effective margins for skill and responsibility, and “round off the various salary points in the scale to preserve their symmetry and proper relativity.” The Public Service Commission opposed the application. Its counter proposals suggested wage increases from £8 10s to £ll 10s. Mr A. G. Rodda, the commission’s advocate, said that 471 Health Department nurses would be affected. They were a small group against the 8126 nurses employed by hospital boards. The tribunal reserved its decision.