Typists’ salaries

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32561, 22 March 1971, Page 14

Typists’ salaries

Sir,—l have been employed as a stenographer for a private firm for over 10 years. Last year the Clerical Workers* Union gained an increase in wages for their members and I now receive $41.50 a week, gross. This is quite satisfactory in my view, but I have heard that the wage for an equivalent position in the Government service is considerably higher, and I would like to know if this is true. I hold a senior Government shorthand typist’s examination and have had over 15 years experience as a secretary. Would someone in authority tell me what wage I would now be receiving had I worked in the Public Service for this same length of time?—Yours, etc., INTERESTED. March 17, 1971. [Mr D. A. Warmington, district manager inspector of the State Services Commission, replies: “The question of pay fixing is a complex one and to do justice to the inquiry would entail a somewhat lengthy reply. Actual salary would depend upon service, qualifications, previous experience and performance. Appointment to certain positions such as those designated senior shorthand typist, secretary-typist, etc., is competitive, and this would have a bearing on salary. The matter is also complicated by the fact that equal pay exists in the Public Service and since negotiations with employee organisations, the shorthand typists' salary scale’ Is now similar to the clerical scale. If your correspondent would care to call at our office, our employment officer would be pleased to discuss this matter with her in greater detail.”]