CASUAL EMPLOYEES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 750, 5 July 1923, Page 5

CASUAL EMPLOYEES.

RAILWAYMEN'S POSITION DEFINED.

The following Teply has been received by Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston) from the Minister of Railwavs regarding his question whether the Minister would take steps to have, railway employees, who have been working l as casuals for a period of five years, placed on the permanent staff, so that they may enjoy the benefits of superannuation. The casual staff of the Railway Department consists of three classes: First, what are known a 9 regular casuals, i.e., men who can comply with the -requirements of the regulations introspect to age, education and other conditions. These men are appointed to the permanent staff from time to time, provided their work and. conduot have been satisfactory during the time they wore on the casual staff. Secondly, there aro term casuals, who are employed from time to time for a fixed period, varying according to tho requirements of the department aim the work available, Thirdly, there are the emergenoy casuals, comprised of men taken -on to meet an emergency condition, and whose term of employment may be limited to a few hours or extend to a few weeks, In the caae of term and emergency casuals, the restrictions imposed by the regulations in regard to age and other conditions are not applied, and the bulk of the men in these two latter classes are not, therefore, eligible for the permanent staff, and if the conditions of the regulations were adhered to the majority of such men would not obtain employment, for the reason that many of them are over age or have other disqualifications. As a general rule casual employees who ore on the regular casual staff aro appointed to the permanent staff after having served A period okthree years. \ ' i