TYPISTES’ SALARIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 9

TYPISTES’ SALARIES

Sir,—For some time now we have been reading in the newspapers that different classes of workers are to receive a higher rate of salary and it is with disgust that I am writing this letter as one of a small class which for some years now has been entirely passed over when these rises were given. I refer to the female typistes and clerks who are employed by the legal profession. It is perhaps not known by the majority of the public that these girls are the poorest paid in any branch of the service aind that, while in almost every other profession there have been increased payments o i salary, they have had to sit by and sea wages or other girls soar up while theirs remain as they have done for many years. The position has now become acute, as we have learned that young girls, who have just left school after maybe passing an examination or so, although in many cases they have not done so, are receiving the same amount of pay as many of us with five years’ or more service are receiving at the present time. It seems that in order to entice these young girls to take up various positions in offices, this high rate of salary to commence with is being used as bait. It is therefore not a fair thing at all that we who have served our employers faithfully for, say, five or more years, should have to find ourselves placed alongside juniors who have not the experience or capability that we ourselves have. Legal work, to say the least of it, is one of the hardest tests for any lypiste, and yet We have to sit back and see these tilings happen. Many other union have protested against the rate of pay received by their members, but I think if our position was investigated they would see that they haye no kick coming to them. Every day in the paper someone or other is either going on strike or being granted a higher rate of salary, and I for one think it is high lime that our position was clarified. When I write this I have many of my fellowworkerS behind me who feel aS I do. Being one of the typistes myself I know what I am talking about. It seems incredible that these things are happening, and that, with the Man-power Regulations as they a're, we cannot leave to obtain a better paid position, but seemingly must abide with our lot. Such as if is. It is high time something was done about it; then perhaps there would not be so much discontentment. Briefly, the position is: After five years' good hard work we receive the enormous sum of £2 10s per week. Then I can go up to £2 15s if I have a girl under me. The girl who is the only typiste employed by a firm remains at £2 15s until she is entitled to Social Security. I have proof that young girls are starting in the Public Service at this figure and I think the union on Monday evening should investigate our position for us.— I am; etc., Legal.