YOUNG CLERK’S DISMISSAL

Southland Times, Issue 23377, 8 December 1937, Page 4

YOUNG CLERK’S DISMISSAL

HIGHER WAGES UNDER NEW AWARD

LABOUR LEGISLATION BLAMED (Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, December 7. A junior clerk on the permanent staff of the Auckland Harbour Board, whose range of duties was stated to be insufficient to justify payment of the increased wages specified under the new award, is to receive notice of the termination of his employment, according to a decision of the board. Several members opposed the committee recommendations, but their amendments were lost.

'Mr J. Sayegh protested strongly against the proposal of the board to retire the young man because a new award for its employees raised his salary from £l5O to £273. He had been in the board’s services for about six years and it had only now been discovered that he was of no further use. Mr Sayegh moved an amendment that the clerk’s services should be retained and that a position be found for him in some other department. Supporting the amendment, Mr W. B. Barlow said the employee in question had been described by the head of his department as a very worthy member of the staff. Through no fault of his own he was being asked to retire because he would be earning a few shillings a week more than his position warranted. Promising young men should not be encouraged by the board to accept jobs that would remain junior positions. “This young man is one of the victims of the. recent Labour legislation,” stated Mr T. A. Bishop. “I do not think our employees want to come under these awards. In some cases there is temporary pecuniary gain, but in many others detrimental results accrue.” SALARIES AND AGE The chairman (the Hon. T. Bloodworth) said it was a circumstance which arose from the award and recent - industrial legislation whereby salaries for juniors were fixed in accordance with age. Length of service and other qualifications were not allowed for. In this instance, the increase which the employee secured under the award brought his salary above that of the man who was next above him and who was his senior in length of service, although not in age. “It is felt that for the work this man does the salary fixed for men of his age is too high,” Mr Bloodworth continued. “Further increases would have to be given in accordance with the award while at the same time so far as can be seen there would be no change in status or increase in responsibility. If, in this and similar circumstances, men are to be kept on at the rate provided, it will follow that unless vacancies occur in higher branches of the board’s service or its business extends and juniors are promoted no cadets can be taken on. In a few years all the clerks will be at an age of. not less than. 27 when the salary is fixed at £6 5/- a week.” Mr Sayegh’s amendment was lost. Another amendment deferring conI sideration of the question for a year was also defeated and the motion was adopted. On the clerk’s retirement on January 31 he will receive four weeks’ leave of absence on full pay.