TV incentive unwelcome

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33650, 27 September 1974, Page 3

TV incentive unwelcome

The offer of a free colour television set for three months as a starting incentive for tractor and truck servicemen has brought more trouble than success for a Rangiora motor firm.

The manager said that the • Minister of Labour (Mr ! Faulkner) had commented on the offer saying that if the ! practice continued, he would ! bring down legislation to j stop it.

| The company has a contract to recondition trucks, buses tractors, and jeeps for the American Deep Freeze operations in Antarctica next season, and, because of the Wage Stabilisation Act, has not increased its mechanics’ salaries in the last year. The manager said that the firm had lost men to higherpaid positions.

The offer of a colour television for three months was intended to be a way round the regulations, as any fringe benefits, such as bonuses, were considered part of an employee’s income, and contravened the Act. It was thought that a three-month offer would not be considered a permanent fringe benefit. “We haven’t appointed anyone as a result of the advertising. Other people in industry are breaking the Wage Stabilisation regulations. This is our way of doing it legally.” the manager. said. He is now trying to formulate another method of attracting staff without annoying the Department of Labour.