Court to hear workers’ pay claim

Press, 8 September 1982, Page 4

Court to hear workers’ pay claim

The Arbitration Court has decided that it can hear a case for a pay rise made by the Christchurch City Council's clerical workers in spite of the wage and price freeze. The case relates to unsettled matters referred to the Court just before the freeze was imposed in June. Because of the possible effect of the freeze the Court asked the parties to make submissions on it. In a decision just released Chief Judge J. R. P. Horn said that the freeze did not prevent the case from being heard. The Court was able to resolve a dispute referred to it before the imposition of the freeze on June 23. even though the hearing was held after then. The Court would consider the case and issue its award soon. Chief Judge Horn said. The unsettled matters in the case are a claim for the application of the State Ser-

vices general adjustment of the November 1 year, a counter-claim by the council to lower the starting rates relating to the recognition of educational qualifications, and a claim by the union for a service bonus. The council's advocate. Mr P. F. Geoghegan. said during a hearing last month that the council could not afford the bonus payments sought by the union. He said it would cost the council $72,196 a year, and the flow-on effect to other salaried staff agreements would mean the cost would rise to $258,077. The union's secretary, Mrs D. T. Shannon, said that the claim by the council to lower clerical workers' starting rates made a mockery of its youth employment programme. Mr Geoghegan submitted that the elevated junior starting rates gave a major pay advantage over State pay rates.