WAGES REDUCTION.

Franklin Times, Volume XXI, Issue 67, 10 June 1931, Page 5

WAGES REDUCTION.

BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISION.

TOWN CLERK AND FOREMAN EXCLUDED.

TURNCOCK RECEIVES 5 PER CENT

OTHERS OVER £2OO, 10 PER CENT

As the result of a decision arrived at on Monday evening- to reduce the salaries and wages of some of its ernpoyees, the Pukekohe Borough Council is going to save, in rolnd figures, £l4O per annum, a matter of nearly £3 a week.

The subject was introduced by the Mayor, Mr John Routly, who remarked that the judgment of the Arbitration court had been given and all were fully acquainted with the finding. He thereupon moved that a 10 per cent cut, operating from June 8, be made on all salaries and wages paid by the council, where the earnings exceeded £2OO per annum, excepting the case of the town clerk. Cr. G. T. Parvin seconded the motion.

Cr. F. .T. Morrow said he considered a 10 per cent' cut as far as the foreman -was concerned would be cuttng his salary down pretty low. Cr. Morrow pointed out that the foreman, in whom all had the greatest confidence carried a great deal of responsibility and further this officer was at the service of the council at all hours. Not Paid Overtime.

Cr. A. F. Brown: Is the foreman paid overtime? The Mayor: No. The foreman is -at the call of the council for 365 days in the year and for 24 hours a day. Cr. P. A. Miller said he would not like to see the foreman’s salary reduced under £5 a week. 'Cr. R. E. Morland: The 10 per cent cut will mean that he will be receiving 1/- under £5 a week. Cr. Parvin said he agreed that there was something in Cr. Morrow’s suggestion. Cr. Morrow' moved as an amendment that no alteration be made in the foreman’s salary. 6r. H. Curd seconded and the amendment was carried, six voting in the affirmative. Cr. A. T. Begg said that in view of the amendment it meant that only four permanent employees would be penalised by the *cut. He did not consider it fair that- four should carry the burden seeing that the saving would be very small. He moved as a further amendment that the matter be referred to the finance committee for a report at next meeting. It was stated that the council employed more than the number of persons termed permanent, of whom particulars of wages and salaries were given. There were several others, who although working more or less permanently, were not actually on the permanent staff, but who received award rates of pay. Cr. Begg said that half the staff then would be penalised and the other half would escape. Crs. Miller and Parvin said the question should be settled by the council. Cr. Rae seconded the further amendment, which w 7 as defeated, only ihe mover and seconder supporting it. The position of the turncock was mentioned, and the responsibility he was burdened with. It was pointed •out aFso that he was at the call of the council at all hours. Cr. Parvin moved as an amendment that the turncock’s salary be reduced by five per -cent.

Cr. Curd seconded. Cr. Rae said he realised the efficiency of the turncock hut would oppose dhe amendment on principle. The -whole question lie felt should be deferred and dealt with properly. “No ‘Cut’ at all.”

Cr. Miller said it appeared that the. “cut” was not a cut at all. It had been definitely established that there had been a drop in the cost of living. Therefore those employed who were escaping a cut were far better off than they were before. The ratepayers had to be considered, some of whom had had their incomes reduced by 50 per cent, irrespective of their ability. Cr. Parvin’s amendment was carried, the Mayor, Crs. Morrow, Brown and the mover and seconder supporlng it. the others being against it. A further amendment by Cr. Begg, ■seconded by Cr. Miller that a general out of 10 per cent apply, and then if an employee was being underpaid in the opinion of the council, an increase in salary or wages could be granted. —Only the mover and seconder supported this. Finally the motion to the effect that the salaries of the town clerk and foreman be not altered, that the turncock’s salary be reduced 5 per cent, and all other in receipt of over £2OO or at the rate of over £2OO per annum, be reduced by 10 per cent, was carried, Crs. Rae, Begg and Miller dissenting. Cr. Miller expressed the opinion that the council had only nibbled at the auestion. Cr. Rae said the whole pay out of the council as far as salaries and wages were concerned should be revised. The cost of living had been reduced and yet the council dealt with the question in the way it had. Cr. Curd: Perhaps the officers were -not getting paid enough before. Cr. Brown said he was astonished to find that the town clerk and foreman were in receipt of such low salaries. Cr. Begg said he intended to give notice of motion for next meeting that the matter of salaries and staff be reconsidered.