TIME-BOOKS DISPUTE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30291, 18 November 1963, Page 14

TIME-BOOKS DISPUTE

Wellington City Officials fN.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 17. Objections to a Wellington City Corporation plan to ask local body officials receiving less than £1256 a year to sign time books have been raised by the Local Body Officers' Union. The union has asked the council to defer action on the matter until it has been discussed between the council’s staff committee and a union deputation Though the union had not been officially notified it had received advice to this effect, said a letter to the Town Clerk from the union secretary (Mr P. M. Butler). He claimed the failure to give notification of the corporation’s intention could be construed as discourtesy to a large section of the officers who were members of the union.

While there could be no objection to a reasonable effort by any employer to ensure the full time for which a man was paid was worked, aspects of the council’s decision were causing great concern among union members, said Mr Butler's letter.

The main matter causing concern was the distinction over who would sign the timebooks. "We are informed a large section of officers will not be required to sign This infers possible dishonesty in the lower-paid section of the officers and infers absolute honesty in the higher grades.” The council was, therefore, asked to defer action on this matter, until the union had had an opportunity to discuss it with the staff committee