RETRENCHMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16662, 18 February 1922, Page 8

RETRENCHMENT.

+ SALARY AND WAGES GUT. HOW IT AFFECTS RAILWAYMEH. Definite instructions regarding the effect of the Publio Expenditure Adjustment Act upon the members of the railway service, have been supplied by circular to each individual member, who is asked to peruse the circular and forward a receipt for same, stating that lie has read it and understands its provisions. The instructions do not apply to engine-drivers, night foremen of cleaners, firemen or cleaners, who do not come within the scope of the Act. It is understood, however, that these members will be asked to revert to a forty-eight hour week in place of the present forty-four hour week. The following are the reductions per annum : —-Salaries over £6OO per annum, but not exceeding £BOO per annum, £26 reduction; over £320, but not exceeding £6OO, £2O; over 32190 : but not exceeding £320, £l6 ; not ex- i ceeding £l9O, £10; members paid at ! a daily or hourly rate, where rate of irenumeration • exceeds £320 per* an- 1 num (2s 9|-d per hour), Is 4d per day; where rate exceeds £l9O (Is 7j|d) but does not exceed £320 (2s Old), Is; where rate does not exceed £l9O (Is 7|d), Bd. It is provided that no member, who is married, or who is a widower ! with a child or children under tlie age of sixteen years living with and dependent upon him, shall be paid at a lower rate than £219 2s per annum, and that no member who is twentywo years of age or upwards shall be paid at a lower rnto\ than £9O per annum. The reductions are to apply to all permanent and casual employ- , oes other than to casuals employed : from hour to hour. Casuals employed ! from hour to hour are to he paid at Is lid per hour instead of 2s as formerly. Overtime rates and rates for Sunday duty and Departmental holidays for members of the Second Division and permanent casuals are to be computed on the reduced rates. The rates of pay for Sundays and holidays for members of the First Division, are to be as follows from January 3, 1922: —Members in receipt of over £270 per annum, 3s 8d per hour ; over £2OO but not exceeding £270, 3s od; over £166 but not exceeding £2OO, 2s 9d ; nob more than £165, 2s. Isolation allowances, night allowances, and any other allowances are to ho paid at the same rates as previously, subject to the provision that when the rate of any allowance depends on a member’s rate of pay the rate of 4|fch allowance shall he de-termined-by the reduced rates* of pay. i A contributor to the Railway : Superannuation Fund may elect to I continue to contribute to the fund as if his salary or wages had not been reduced and every -member so con- ■ tributing shall bo entitled on retirement to a retiring allowance (if any) of the same amount as that to which he would have been entitled if his salary or wages had not been re- ; cluced. Unless a member elects to contribute on the higher rate, superannuation deductions are to be based on tlie reduced rate. Members who elect to contribute at the reduced rate are to be credited with the differ- j ence between the amount of the con- ! tributions they were formerly paying and the lower rate. for the period they were paying the higher rate. ! It is explained that members have j been overpaid from January 1 to Feb ruary 4 and these overpayments will j be deducted in four equal parts from the pav-sheets for the two weeks end-’ ing February 18, March 4, March 18, March 31. It is provided that regulations may . be made for the adjustment of anom- j

alies or for the relief of cases of hardship. The reduced rate o t salary or wages Is to appear qn all pay sheets for the fortnight ending to-day. Members who were granted and had actually commenced their final leave of absence on or before January 30, prior to retiring on superannuation ore exempt from the reductions.