RAILWAY WORKERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21549, 31 October 1944, Page 4

RAILWAY WORKERS

EFFECT OF PENAL RATES (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Oct. 31. The railway tribunal dealing with th'e A.S.R.S. claims heard representations yesterday that penal rates should not be taken into consideration in computing the guaranteed minimum wave. Mr. Mcllvride said that if they were so included, the extra payment allowed for the special conditions oi the work involved was nullified. The worst and most frequent practice of the kind was in connection with night rates. In peace-time the department forbade employees to engage in other occupations, so that a person booked off after a short week at penal. rates was really an economic unit not utilised to his capacity. , The department’s reply was to the effect that if an employee received payment equal to that due for 40 hours at the ordinary rate, its obligation under the regulations was satisfi6Other claims by' the A.S.R.S. heard by the tribunal yesterday were that the minimum rate of -pay for juniors living away from home be not less thbn the rate annlicable to juniors aged 18; that junior porters, engaged in shunting yards be paid adult porters’ rate of pay; that provision and conditions of double pay and the four-hour minimum for Sunday duty and departmental holidays be extended to include all employees. _ Submissions on all 20 claims by tub A.S.R.S, have now been heard. At the end of yesterday's, sitting Die chairman. Mr. W. F. Stilwe.ll, S.M.. said the tribunal would reserve its decision. To-dav the tribunal will begin to hear the 20 claims of the Railway Officers’ Institute.