COUNTY COUNCIL WAGES

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1936, Page 8

COUNTY COUNCIL WAGES

.PUBLIC WORKS BASIS ADOPTED

The Whangarei County Council decided today to adopt the scale of wages and conditions fixed by the Minister of Public Works in relation to his employees. It was decided that the casual rate be 14/-.

The county clerk, Mr H. C. Hemphill, said that the Federation of Labour had cited county councils in regard to the’ wages of employees. Many county councils and local bodies had adopted the scale laid down by the Minister of Public Works in regard to his employees. Some counties had adopted the 1931 scale, and in the Whangarei county that rate would be practically the same as that laid down by the Minister in his agreement. In the Minister’s agreement, working hours were limited to 40, ' with double and treble overtime. There were also eight statutory holidays, one weeks’ holiday for those with one year’s service and two weeks for those with over two years’, on pay. The clerk suggested that the council adopt as its basis the Public Works agreement. In addition, he suggested, that the only increase as far as the internal staff was concerned was that the assistant engineer be placed on the same basis as the foreman. The 'lnside Staff. The clerk also suggested that the council should suggest in a letter to the Counties’ Association, that it was their opinion that if a union was to be formed it should embrace county council employees as distinct from other unuions of workers. As far as the inside staff was concerned, the new legislation would affect three members, who would not be allowed to work on Saturdays without overtime. However, he thought the work could be done without additional staff’

Cr T. N. Blake: “The 40-hour week will hold up metalling in the summer.” Cr F. Elliott: “It appears that the worst off section of the community is the farmer. Salaries are being increased for all classes, but the unfortunate farmer is told that he will get a guaranteed price which, on present indications, will be little in excess of that received for the season just ended.”

Mr Elliott said that it was going to be a serious matter for the ratepayers. Scale As Fixed By Minister.

Cr A. Clarke moved that the scale of wages and conditions fixed by the Minister of Public Works be adopted.

The clerk suggested that the casual labour rate be 14/- a day.

The chairman said that casual labour was not worth as much as permanent. If the rate was forced up, it was quite possible that the county would have to use less casual labour. Possibly the council might have some men not capable of earning this amount, and the position would have to be carefully watched to see that they had only those men who could earn the wages laid down. Cr Clarke agreed to include the casual rate of 14/- in his motion, the whole to become effective as from July 1. The motion was carried.

It was also agreed- to support the proposal that county councils should have their own union, and that the assistant engineer be placed on the same rate as the foreman.