REDUCTION IN WAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20900, 16 June 1931, Page 11

REDUCTION IN WAGES.

POWER BOARD EMPLOYEES. DECISION OF WAITEMATA. The Waitemata Electric-Power Board decided at yesterday's meeting to make a cut of 10 per cent, in the wages of its outside employees who were governed by awards. The cut, which affects nine men, took effect from yesterday and will result in a saving to the board of £2OO a year. The chairman, Mr. H. A. Robertson, moved.that the cut should be on tho same basis as that applied to the inside staff on May 1. The sliding scale then adopted provided for a cut of 5 per cent, in tho case of salaries between £2Ol and £3OO ; 7 1-2 per cent, for salaries between £3Ol and £450 and a minimum cut of 10 per cent, and increasing according to scale for salaries of £451 and over.

The secretary, Mr. A. Main, said the wages of the nine outside employees ranged between £2Ol and £3OO. The adoption of a 5 per cent, cut under tho sliding scale arrangement would represent a saving of £IOO a year. An amendment by Mr. J. Mackie that a 10 per cent, cut bo enforced was carried. LocaJ bodies should not deviate from the intention of the Arbitration Court to reduce wages by 10 per cent., he said.

Mr. G. O'Halloran, in seconding the amendment, said local hodies should givo a lead to private firms in >the matter.

THE AUCKLAND BOARD. DECISION NEXT MONDAY. The question whether the Arbitration Court's decision concerning a 10 per cent, reduction in award rates of pay should bo made applicable to the employees of tho Auckland Power Board has been considered by the board and the matter has been deferred for further consideration until its meeting in committee on Juno 22. A recommendation has been made that the decision of the board in committee on that day should be. given effect to, without confirmation in open board. CUT AT TEE UNIVERSITY. RECONSIDERATION NUT GKANTED. A request for reconsideration of the reduction of 10 per cent, made in their salaries was received from a number of the non-teaching members of tho Auckland University College staff bv the college council yesterday afternoon. Relief was sought on the grounds of hardship, those concerned giving details of their salaries and the amounts deducted through superannuation contributions, the unemplovment levy and the recent wage reductions. On the motion of the chairman, Sir George Fowlds, the council decided to take no action.

DECISION AT ONEHUNGA. APPLICATION OF THE CUT. A decision to reduce I'v 10 per cent, the wages of all employees, with the exception of two girl clerks. and anothei member of the office staff who is duo for an increase, and whose position would not be affected if the increase were granted and the "cut" then made, was reached at a meeting of the. Onehunga Borough Council last evening. In moving the resolution, the Mayor, Mr. E. Morton, said the matter had been delayed as long as possible, but ho considered it necessary that the reduction should be made. Practically every other local body had reduced wages, and the council had to face the position. Mr. J. Pilkington said he considered that the council should show more consideration toward its outside staff. The present ttage of £4 103 Id was surely little enough for married men to maintain their families, and a reduction of 10 per cent, would cut the wages to £4 Is Id. Ho suggested that the wages should be cut by 5 per cent,., the position to L>e reviewed after six months. The Mayor pointed out that if this course were followed, it might bo necessary to reduce the staff. The Mayor's motion was carried, tho reduction to operate as from the beginning of next month. Mr. Morton announced that lie would voluntarily subject his honorarium to tho same reduction.