CLERICAL EMPLOYEES’ AWARD

Northern Advocate, 14 December 1937, Page 9

CLERICAL EMPLOYEES’ AWARD

’ ISpp-'.-u To “Northern ylclvoc.ato’\ j AUCKLAND. This Day. | The first court award to govern ‘ clerical and office staff employees in j the Northern Industrial District was ■ issued by the First Arbitration Court j today.

Owing to exceptional circumstances, the court has decided to make the operation of the wages clause retrospective to October 18. 1937. The court expresses the hope that when steps are taken to secure new award conditions for clerical workers, the proceedings will be on a Dominion basis.

The award is to be deemed to have come into operation on October 18, 1937, and is to continue in force until February 6, 1938. The award applies only to clerical workers employed .wholly or substantially at one or more of the following classes of work: Writing, typing, shorthand-writing, attending telephone or other classes of clerical work. Wages Table. A worker of 21 years of age or upwards is not to receive less than £3 16/- per week. A comprehensive table sets out the wages to bo paid. Male workers under 3 0 years of age begin at 15/-; under 16 to 17. £1: under 17 to 18, £1 5/-; under .18 to 19,, £1 12/6; under 19 to 20, £2; under 20 to 21, £2 15/-. Half-yearly increases are made in the early years of employment, with the wage of £5 5/- payable in the ninth year. Female workers under 17 years of age begin at 15/-; under 17 to 18,, 18/-; under 18 to 19. £1 1/-; under 19 to 20, £1 4/-; under 20 to 21, £1 7/-. Halfyearly increases, mostly of 4/- to 5/-, are provided for until the wage at the seventh year is £2 15/-. No female worker 21 years of age or upwards is to be paid less than £1 16/- a week. Hours of Work.

Generally speaking, the hours of work are those of the establishment in which the clerical worker is employed. Overtime is fixed at the rate of time and a half after 44 hours have been worked, with a minimum of 1/6 per hour. In addition to the statutory holidays, each employee is to be entitled to one week’s holiday on full pay, on completion of each year of continuous service, or a proportionate holiday on completion of not less than six months’ continuous service.

The Auckland Savings Bank and the Colonial Sugar Company are exempt from the award. The application for exemption of stock and station agents was refused.