PUBLIC SERVICE PAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 44, 20 August 1940, Page 6

PUBLIC SERVICE PAY

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —With regard to the 5 per cent, wages increase—why should not civil I servants receive the same consideration as other workers, as' they have tho same taxes to pay. Civil servants, when called upon, are compelled to work overtime, including working Saturdays and Sundays, and do not receive additional pay except 2s tea money. The cost of living has risen considerably in the last few months, but the rank and file of Government employees are still struggling along on the same rates of pay, with | additional burdens imposed.—l am,! etc., i M.I. j

"Disillusioned Student" considers that there is a present inequality which should be put right. In 1930-35, the correspondent states, a high edu-cational-standard, including part of a University degree or its equivalent, was required for appointment to the permanent staff. From 1936 onwards, as the supply of well-educated young men became short owing to the demands of industry, the educational standard was relaxed. The correspondent compares the payment of "A," who joined at age 20, having part of a University degree, and "B," who entered in, say, 1937, at the age of 15. "Suppose neither 'A' nor 'B' pursues any further studies. 'A' will not reach a salary of £205 per annum until he is 25, and will not obtain a salary of £305 until he is 29. However, 'B' will be enjoying a salary of £205 when he is 20 and £305 at the comparatively early age of 24. Much is said by the Public Service Commissioner about the great necessity for efficiency tests. Can he justify giving a salary of £305 to 'A' at 29 and to 'B' at 24, especially in view of the educational qualifications of 'A' and the lack thereof of 'B'? Have the five years of employment in the Public Service been of such great value to 'B' that his efficiency at 24 is worth £100 per annum more than that of 'A' at the same age?"