WAGE CLAIM Many Workers Paid Only Minimum, Court Told

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29830, 24 May 1962, Page 14

WAGE CLAIM Many Workers Paid Only Minimum, Court Told

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 23. Six trade union secretaries told the Arbitration Court today there were many workers in the country on minimum award rates. Some of the secretaries claimed this was so for the majority of their members.

The secretaries were called by the workers’ advocate in the application for a general wage order increase, Mr F. P. Walsh, in rebuttal of a suggestion by the employers that no evidence had been given the Court that there were any workers on award minimums.

When the Court reconvened today Mr Walsh was expected to make submissions in reply to the employers' submissions. Instead, he asked permission to call witnesses first. Mr Justice Tyndall questioned Mr Walsh’s right to cal) such witnesses at this stage, but as the employers' advocate (Mr P. J. Luxfordi was raising no objection he would allow it.

It was anticipated at. this stage that only two witnesses would be called, but by the time the day's adjournment was taken at 4 p.m., at Mr Walsh’s request, six witnesses had been heard. Mr Walsh said he would begin his reply tomorrow morning. Alexander Arthur McDonald, secretary of the Wellington and Taranaki Clothing Trades Union, said about 25 per cent, of workers in the clothing industry were on minimum rates of pay. In the city, the trend was to pay in excess of award rates. This was because of the competitive market for clothing workers. Mr McDonald said the minimum rates applied mainly to female workers He did not know of any male workers on minimum rates because of the shortage of such workers throughout the industry. He said he also represented ice cream workers and in this industry too male and female workers were al) on minimum rates.

In the baking industry 95 per cent, of workers were paid minimum rates. Mr Luxford sought detailed information as to particular clothing factories and minimum payments from the witness and asked the Court for leave to get in touch with the employers involved before cross - examining Mr McDonald This was granted James Henry Collins, secretary of the Caretakers' Union, the New Zealand Brewery Workers’ Union and the Wellington branch of the Musicians’ Union, said the majority of caretakers throughout the country were on the minimum. Mr Collina said musicians who worked in theatres, admittedly often as second-

ary-income workers, all worked on the minimum. William James Welsh, national secretary of the Drivers’ Federation, said it was difficult to estimate what percentage of the 16.000 drivers covered by his federation were on the minimum rates, but it would be a large number. Some, because of a system of paying flat rates, might even be getting below the award. He knew of one firm m Christchurch with 80 drivers and another in Ashburton with 75 drivers that paid only award rates.

Chip Bailey, secretary of the Wellington Drivers’ Union, said he had checked time and wages sheets in a number of firms. . and he knew many drivers in the Wellington area and almost all country drivers were on minimum rates.

To Mr Luxford. Mr Bailey said he knew that those drivers getting above award wages did not automatically get general wage increases though it had been his union's policy to try to maintain such margins. His own union employed a clerk who was being paid above the clerical workers’ award rate. His Honour: Perhaps you should join the Employers' Federation.

some workers to live in. but. he said, he had no knowledge of gratuities paid by some members to workers in the chartered clubs. Thomas Frederick Collerton. secretary of the Wellington Freezing Workers’ Union and a member of the national executive of the Freezing Workers’ Association. said two-thirds of the men in the industry earned award rates only.

Mr Bailey: 1 understand it is a voluntary organisation. Thomas Duffy, assistant secretary of the Hotel Workers’ Union, covering workers tn hotels, restaurants, tearooms, and hospitals, said 90 per cent, of hotel workers and 95 per cent, of hospital workers were on minimum rates

Pay In Centres He said the majority employed by the Wellington Gentlemen’s Club were on the minimum.

Mr Walsh: Do you know what one must be to qualify for membership of that club? Mr Duffy: You and I wouldn't get in. To his sorrow, said Mr Duffy, the Workingmen’s Club also paid the minimum. Mr Walsh: They have that in common then.

Mr Duffy: Yes. To Mr Luxford. Mr Duffy acknowledged that the hotel workers’ award provided for