AGREEMENT REACHED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27212, 15 October 1949, Page 6

AGREEMENT REACHED

Government Service Tribunal Legislation Next Week PA . WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. Agreement has been reached between the Public Service Association and the Government on the reconstitution of the Government Service Tribunal. No official announcement of the agreement has yet. been made. Special legislation to give effect to it will be introduced in Parliament next week.

The tribunal will deal with the salaries of members of the Public Service Association, teachers, members of the New Zealand Workers’ Union employed in the public service, and several smaller groups. Previously the tribunal has had jurisdiction over salaries up to £825, with certain extensions to cover salaries up to £1025. Under the new agreement it will cover salaries up to £IO6O. The tribunal will have a chairman and a Government member, both appointed by the Government, and a .workers’ representative. Provision will be made for conciliation prpceedings before approach to the tribunal. The application by the Public Service Commission to the Government Service Tribunal as at present constituted for the application of a £l3-a--year increase to the public service to bring them into line with other recent increases has been held over for a fortnight pending the introduction of the new legislation. As soon as the tribunal is reconstituted the Public Service Association will lodge comprehensive claims for salary increases. The agreement is the result of negotiations • over more than a year. The Public Service Association at present refuses to comment on the reported terms, but will report to members at a public meeting at the Wellington Town Hall next Thursday.