Pay rise in law offices

Press, 14 December 1985, Page 9

Pay rise in law offices

PA Wellington Law office workers in the lower North Island and South Island will get big pay rises as a result of the settlement of their award in Christchurch. The union advocate, Ms Martha Coleman, said typists and clerks on youth rates would get wage increases of between 52.5 per cent and 74.5 per cent if. they have University Entrance and between 28.8 per cent and 42.7 per cent with School Certificate. Barristers and solicitors will get rises of between 27 per cent and 35 per cent. Law clerks with a university degree will get increases of 25 per cent to 27 per cent. “As almost all young workers in law offices have a minimum of School Certificate, the vast majority of them will benefit substantially from the new pay rates and the lowering of the adult wage to apply at 20,” she said. The settlement was achieved after stop-work meetings attended by hundreds of legal workers had supported the Union’s claims and strongly rejected employer proposals to extend the present hours of work.

“These meetings were the first in this industry and I am sure our employers were aware of the possibility of widespread industrial action before Christmas. The credit for this excellent settlement belongs to our members for their strong response,” said Ms Coleman.