OVERTIME IN P. AND T. SERVICE STOPPED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19269, 5 January 1931, Page 8

OVERTIME IN P. AND T. SERVICE STOPPED.

ECONOMY MEASURE ONLY. SAYS CHIEF POSTMASTER

A statement made by the Chief Postmaster, Mr F. J. Shanks, on Frida v last was challenged by an official of £he Post and Telegraph Association to-day. In replying to an inquiry in regard to the double rates on Sundays and public holidays for telegraph messages, Mr Shanks said that on those days double rates of pay were paid to the men. Overtime rates were fixed on a sliding scale according to salary. Overtime was very rarely paid to men for week days, time off being allowed. The official stated that double time had never been paid on Sundays and holidays. The rate was the same as for ordinary week days—time and a half. During the depression no overtime had been paid, and in addition to that the employees had suffered two salary cuts.

When the matter was referred to Mr Shanks, he said that overtime had merely been suspended, and not stopped permanently. This came into operation from the beginning of September, with the exception of the Christmas rush period, when overtime was paid at the ordinary rates. “It is an economy measure,” said Mr Shanks, “which has been resorted to before by the department. The overtime will be paid as soon as things have brightened again. Tt should be remembered that in granting time off for duty on Sundays and holidays the department provides continued employment for a number of officers who might otherwise have to be dispensed with owing to the slackening of business. Most officials realise this, but there are a few who will not. The two salary cuts have always been vexed questions. The matter of double rates of pay has evidently been confused with the double rates for telegrams. The overtime is time and a half.”