Incentive Payments For Nassella Grubbing Gangs

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 18

Incentive Payments For Nassella Grubbing Gangs

Overtime will be offered to gubbing gangs next year by the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock Board, it was decided at the monthly meeting at Waikarl yesterday. This had been suggested by a special committee as a way of improving the staff position.

The committee recommended that incentive payments, in the way of overtime during the fiveday working week and service bonuses for length of time served with the board, be made to encourage men to work in the grubbing gangs. An hour’s overtime a day and pay at the overtime rate of time and a-half up to three hours a day was suggested and a graduated scale of bonuses ranging from £7 10s for three months' service up to £3O for eight months’ service.

Commenting on the proposal in his report, the secretary-manager iMr F. J. Foley) said that to cover the extra expense it might be necessary to increase the charge to the farmer to 7s an hour.

“Although wages would be increased by the suggestions, the cost of accommodation and transport would show a reduced hourly rate because of the extra hours worked.” he said. “The length of service bonus, however, would not be recovered in any reductions in costs although the gangs would have a more static staff. If the suggestions of overtime and service bonuses were adopted there could be repercussions from the ranging staff who were paid an annual salary and_ who_ at

times worked more than 40 hours

a week. Mr Foley recommended that the matter be approached with some caution.

Members said that if rangers working with the gangs worked overtime they should receive extra money. Mr J. Stevenson moved that overtime be offered to the Erubbing gangs next year. Mr J. W. Earl seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane moved that the incentive payments for long service should be given 12 months' trial. Mr Earl seconded. The motion was carried.