FIVE PERCENT INCREASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 227, 23 August 1940, Page 6

FIVE PERCENT INCREASE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln connection with your leader and other discussions concerning the 5 per cent increase to employees of hospital boards, and local bodies generally, I feel that an important aspect of the matter appears to have been overlooked. This is the proportion of the estimated increase which affects those employees who are receiving in excess of award rates. I think it will be found that such employees represent a comparatively small proportion of the staff of these institutions, and if the board is compelled by legislation to increase wages to, say, 90 per cent of its employees, it does not seem reasonable that the other 10 per cent should be denied the increase, simply because they are not compelled by legislation to receive it, especially in view of the fact that any employees received in excess of the award have had it granted to them in view of their special qualifications for their particular class of duties, which in most cases, has been gained only after many years of study. Neither must it be inferred., that these excesses are much greater than the award. As a matter of fact, in most cases the excess is so small that the salaries are now almost on a par with those who have had the 5 per cent increase. If certain employees were considered worthy of extra remuneration before, there is no reason why they should not now be entitled to a proportionate increase along with their fellow workers. In fairness to the boards which have discussed this question, I feel certain that members will give appreciative consideration to this view.—l am. etc., PRO RATA.