No Increase in Hospital Nurses’ Pay

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 84, 8 April 1941, Page 6

No Increase in Hospital Nurses’ Pay

AUCKLAND BOARD RESCINDS RESOLUTION Par Presa Association. AUCKLAND, April T. The resolution passed at the last meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board granting nurses an increase of £5 a year in salary was rescinded at to-night’s meeting of the Board on a motion of which the chairman (Mr. Allan Moody) had given notice. Mr. Moody said that at the previous meeting when the annual report on salaries was before the Board a member had moved a “gnap” motion to give nurses an increase of £lO. When this was defeated another member had moved an increase of £5 and a majority of the Hoard had fallen into the trap. The increase had never been asked for by the nurses. They had received a 5 per cent, increase not long ago and their present salaries in successive years were £54 12s, £65 2s, £75 12s and £99 15s. Their board and lodgiug was worth a further 30s and they had additional perquisites including free uniforms and laundry and received free training for a profession in which they could earn a good living in almost any part of the world. He felt that if any class of employee deserved an increase it was the sifcters in charge of the wards. The decision involved an additional £2500 a year which in the lace of the present general outlook was unjustifiable. The motion to rescind was carried by six votes to five.