P. AND T. DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 184, 30 April 1924, Page 8

P. AND T. DISPUTE

PROTEST FROM OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION REPLY TO THE MINISTER ALLEGED DISTORTION OF FACTS Mt. H. E. Combs, secretary of the T> and T. Officers’ Association, yesterday forwarded the following letter to the Postmaster-General (Hon. J. u. Coates): — “I have been directed by jny executive sub-committee to submit the following reply to your considered opinion on the representations made to you by the association as representing the employees of the Department. “I have first of all to say that your conception of the basic wage principle of adjusting wages is different to ours, and to make our position quite clear I have to submit the following statement: . , “(1) The Adjustment Committee of 1919 (the Public Sendee Commissioner, the general manager of ‘ailways, and the secretary Post and Telegraph Department) laid it down that the public service basic wage for 1914 was ilia per annum. , . . “(2) To that basic wage has to be added the knowu percentage increase in the cost of living—to-day 60 per fcB “%) The 1914 basic wage of £165, plus 60 per cent., equals £264 per annum basic wage to-day. “(4) The postman, lineman, etc., or 1914 were entitled to proceed to £lBO, or £l5 above the basic wage point. To-day they should, in strict equity, proceed to £279 per annum. . lhe association asks that they be given a maximum of £275. “(5) In the same way the telegraphist and the clerk had a maximum of £230 in 1914 (raised to £245 in 191 o), or £65 above the basic wage pointThis entitles them, in strict equity, to £330 on the 1914 figures, or £345 on the 1915 figures. The association has chosen a point between the two and asked for £340. “(61 On this way of adjusting salaries, all employees entitled to a salary above the basic wage point are entitled to a ‘cost of living* increase of £99 on their 1914 standard. All employees below the basic wage point are entitled to a pro rata increase. “(7) Example: (a) The telegraph messenger of 1914 drew a maximum of £4O. Therefore, as £4O was to £165 so is to £264. Answer 64. Tn the association’s suggested schedule £65 is asked for these boys, together with an increment of £5 after the first year’s service. . The argument in favour of such an increment has alreadv been put before you. “(8) Example: (b) The switchboard attendant of 1914 had a maximum of £lOO per annum. On the pro rata rate calculations they are entitled to £l6O per annum,. which is exactly what the association has asked for them. , . , “(9) This method of adjusting salaries was largely followed in 1920 when the last, increase waa given, and was embodied in the interview agreement with the Prime Minister when both he and the association agreed that consequential adjustments should follow the cost of living rise or fall to the extent of 10 per cent. Reclassification. I have also been directed to specially stress the fact that this is a “Reclassification Year” within the meanf iug of the Acts and Regulations, under which the service is working, and therefore affords the one real opportunity that occurs in every five years of having the general salary and increment position reviewed. Jt was because of thin that my association has submitted the necessity for a revision of the salary schedule which will embody not only the full “cost of living” increase to officers on the maxima of their respective classes, but which will also reduce to reasonable limits the period of years required to negotiate the gap between minimum and maximum. This period has for years appealed to my association as being too long, and ,at one stage (1918) did also appeal to the Department in the same way, for, in the course of the negotiation which ensued at that time, it (the Department) submitted proposals which would guarantee junior tradesmen the award rate of wages on the completion of five years’ training. Its then proposals for other groups of employees was in line with this progressive policy, with the exception that a longer period of years was demanded before the maximum could be expected. “A system of double and treble increments for meritorious service was also, promised which would reduce this period. Under the system then outlined and verbally promised a Clerical Division officer could expect to reach the maximum of his class in eight years. The proposals placed before the association require ten years, while tbe association itself now asks for seven. In doing so it is felt that either “(a) The majority of the employees of tne Department reach the maximum of their efficiency after seven years, plus two years (average) of messenger service ■ or “(b) That the longer period of training connotes a much more important and responsible position than the average worker is called upon to fill, and, therefore, a much higher maximum salary is warranted. “Under the schedules submitted by yourself you propose that the telegraph messenger, aged 14 years, who is promoted to postman, or some similar General Division position, after two years’ service, must complete a further seven years, before ho becomes entitled to tho Arbitration Court’s basic wage for unskilled workers of £197 per annum (£3 16s. Id. per week). This means nine years’ service in all, and a minimum age of 23 years. To reach tho equivalent of an award rate of pay requires twelve years, whereas in most industries the average worker reaches that point in six years —for all practical purposes on reaching .Iran’s estate. . ’ ■ In the same way, the telegraph messenger ' promoted to cadet-telegraphist, after two years’ service, has to servo between six and seven years before reaching the Arbitration Court’s basic wage award, and this for highly skilled work. Compare this with the experience of the learner linotype operator (a calling somewhat akin in skill and general standard of education required), and a marked contrast is icvealed.

workers (including apprentices) are paid in excess of award rates, the average being £7 per week. Piece-workers earn up to £9 per week.

“It should be clear from ibis that the association is only endeavouring to have this ‘reclassificaticii’ year used for tie greatest practical benefit to the people it represents, and for the purpose for which it was intended by the regulations authorised by Parliament. Basic Wags.

“In seeking to have a minimum basic wage of £4 10a. per week established in the service for all male adults, tho association believes it but represents the true interests of the Dominion in the matter. It is to New Zealand’s advantage to have its young men establish h» mes for themselves and marry. On tho wages now paid by the Department this event must bo very considerably delayed, for tho salary does not provide the margin out of which the necessary provision can toe made. Further, on analysis of our

“It is agreed that these figures are general, but it has. to be admitted:— (1) It is impossible to secure a modern, reasonably equipped four-roomed house for 18s. nor week to-day. . (2) The lowest standard of living countenanced by the State (prison fare) costs tho State 65.. llld per week per prisoner, and at £1 10s. lid. per week a man, wife and two children (the basic family) are perilously close to that- standard. (3) £32 10s. for year’s clothing for four people is a bare minimum, especially when two of them are in the growing stage necessitating changes of sizes of boots, (4) One hundredweight of coal and one shilling per week for lighting betoken tho strictest economy, especially in the winter season. (5) Superannuation is a fixed and inescapable charge. . (6) Includes team fares, medicine and medical attention, dentist, school books, church, lodge and union dues, renewals and upkeep of furniture, bedding etc. “In all we have put before you we have endeavoured to be temperate, and reasonable, proceeding on the basis or submitting only what i 8 fairly justified on the statistical facts supported by the practice ruling in the industrial field in determining the salary of wage value of workers of all classes. , “Wo • contend that highly-skilled workers in tho Department should bo paid on a parity with highlv-skilled workers in private employ. We also feel that the 'Government should give a lead to all citizens in tho proper salary and general treatment of its employees. , “It is very hard, therefore, to find that your reply to our representations entirely ignores the basis on which we have worked them out, and, further, that you have entirely overlooked our intimation that if the maxima could be fixed on this reasonable and practical basis that the determination of the various increment steps could be easily settled by negotiation. "Believing, therefore, that your considered statement is the gist of your representation of our case to Cabinet, we wish to protest against the distortion of ths facts and the omission of the barfs ml which we worked them out.” MASS MEETING OF LOCAL SECTION DEMAND THAT PARLIAMENT BE CALLED TOGETHER A mass meeting of the local section of the P. and T. Officers’ Association was held at the Dominion Farmers’ Institute last evening to discuss the position which has arisen. Mr. S. M. G. Simpson, vice-chair-man of the local section, presided, and Messrs. O. E. Collins (president), J. H. McKenzie (member or the ccuncil), and H. E. Combs (secretary of the New Zealand P. and T. Association), also occupied seats on the platform It was decided to take the discussion in committee. After a meeting lasting over two hours, a Dominion reporter was informed that the following resolutions had been carried:— “That this large meeting of the Wellington section of the P. and T. Officers’ Association demands that the Prime Minister call Parliament together immediately, to deal with the present industrial situation.” “That this meeting congratulates the A.S.R.S. on its magnificent fight on behalf of all the workers of New Zealand, and wishes them every success. Further, we promise them all financial help in our power.” OTHER BRANCH DECISIONS STRIKE BALLOT ADVOCATED. By Telegraph— Purss Association. Napier, April 29. A meeting of the Napier branch of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association was held to-night. A resolution was carried that: “In view of tho fact that recent negotiations with the Postmaster-General have failed to bring about a satisfactory issue in connection with the salary schedules, this meeting directs the executive to take a referendum of the service on the question of a strike; furthermore, this meeting strongly opposes Cabinet’s intention to make the claims of this service subservient to the railways dispute.” AVERSE TO STRIKE BALLOT. Invercargill, April 29. At a meeting of the Southland section of the P. and T. Officers’ Association, held in Invercargill to-night, tbe following resolution was carried: “That this meeting is averse to a strike ballot being taken at the present time, and is opinion that negotiations should be continued until all means have been exhausted; further, if negotiations fail the matter be deferred until Parliament assembles and a Parliamentary Committee can be appointed to consider all the executive’s requests.”

Linotype Op. TeleAre Machine zraphist frraphist Award Dept. Assn. Service Pates Proposal Proposal Years. Years.. £ £ £ 14 .. 1 52 57 65 15 .. 2 65 57 70 16 .. 3 78 80 85 17 . 4 91 95 110 19 .. 6 117' 115 135 19 . 6 156 135 160 ' 20 . .j 7 314 156 185 21 .. 8 344 190 235 23 . 9 311 210 290 23 . 10 314 230 340 24 . 11 314 250 340 as . .» 12 314 Z?5 340 26 . 13 311 2£S 340 Averaea .... 212 165 207 . Note. —Tho majority of linotype

request you will find: — P.O. £ s. a. Food costs dothing costs — —— Fuel and light cost Superannuation costa All other items cost 34 or 1 10 11 14 or 0 12 7 5 or 0 4 6 5 or 0 4 6 22 or 019 6 Total - ICO or 4 10 0