SHOP ASSISTANTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27275, 29 December 1949, Page 2

SHOP ASSISTANTS

COURT ISSUES NEW AWARD A new award for retail-shop assistants has been issued by the Court of Arbitration. The award fixes the rates of wages to be paid to shop assistants or those “who are substantially employed in any capacity in connection with the reception, display, or sale of goods for retail establishments of employers bound by the award.”

The minimum rates of pay for male shop assistants commencing under the age of 16 shall be £1 12s 6d. and for females, £1 10s a week. Rises every six months shall be payable until the assistant reaches 18 years of age, and thereafter until he reaches 22 years of age the increases will be on a yearly basis. The wage at that age will be £7 17s 7d for males and £5 t>s for females. The minimum rates of wages payable to branch managers and workers in charge of shops shall be £8 5s 6d for males and £6 Is for females. Allowances are made for the number of assistants employed. The minimum for departmental managers and manageresses will be £8 10s and £6 5s respectively. Various other classes of workers such as window-dressers, storemen, and watchmen are also included in the award.

The provisions relating to the rates of pay are retrospective to September 1, but other provisions did not come into force until December 23.