WAGE INCREASES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1945, Page 6

WAGE INCREASES

Sir,—ln your issue of May 26 you published a note on wage increases 'sanctioned by the Arbitration Court quoting clerical workers: Adult male rate, 10s, etc. Would you please inform me just what is meant by the published statement. To illustrate my bewilderment let me outline two instances I am puzzled about. "A" is a male clerk on the old award rate of £5 10s per week (plus 5 per centplus cost-of-living bonus). "B" is paid £6 per week (plus 5 per cent., plus •bonus). "Do "A" and "B" each receive an increase of 10s or is "A" the only one to benefit? If one or both are affected is the increase retrospective to April 1? Also, would the increase of 10s carry an additional 6d: (being the 5 per cent, increase granted some years back on all wages).—l am', etc., ' PATIENT PEN-PUSHER. [On inquiring "The Post" was informed that the increase applies to the minimum award rate. As "B" apparently has received more than the minimum, the increase does not apply by law, but it remains in the discretion of the employer to apply for permission to grant the increase or part of it to over-rate workers. The increase does carry the extra 5 per cent] ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 1..F..1.— We cannot interpret the massa!,'- l»e----yoml rcjiarding it as a reference, perhaps exaggerated b.v way of threat, to the tensioi. in the .Middle .'iast. "Freedom for All."—The case Is reported, but Hp -cannot open a discussion upon It.