PUBLIC SERVICE SEEKS SALARY RISES MADE TOP. AND T. DECT.

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 April 1949, Page 5

PUBLIC SERVICE SEEKS SALARY RISES MADE TOP. AND T. DECT.

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA) "Executive otters o£ the Public Service Association met the acting-Prime Minister on Tuesday evening in an endeavour to obtain assurances which might enable the association to make a nomination to the Government Service Tribunal" stated tire general secretary of the Public Service Association (Mr J. Turnbull) tonight. They were unable to obtain any assurance that the Government regarded the 122 awarded by the Railways and Post .and Telegraph Tribunals as relating only to claims dealt with by the Margins and Anomalies Committee in October last year and therefore separate and distinct from any claims connected with the recent Arbitration Court pronouncement, said Mr Turnbull. Mr Nash’s view was that this was solely a matter for the tribunals concerned and they would decide whether State servants would receive the £.35 in addition to the £22 or a total ot £35 or any other amount. Mr Turnbull added that Mr N\sh was also asked for an assurance that the association would be able to enter into negotiations before the end of the coming session ot Parliament on certain improvements to the tribunal set up which are regarded as being of the greatest importance. The Minister, while indicating readiness to discuss most of these matters, did not g’ive any firm assurance as to the time.

Mr Turnbull stated tonight that the national executive committee received a report to this effect today and also took into account the following facts: The Government Service Tribunal is now established by law. Members have been appointed. The association Ims been brought by regulation within the tribunal's jurisdiction, notwithstanding that it has not nominated a representative. The Government has stated that no increases can be granted to the Public Service except through the tribunal. Having regard to these facts anti to tlie fact that it is not legally necessary for a Public Service Association representative to be nominated, the executive decided that application should be made to the tribunal for a similar increase to those granted to the Railways and Post and Telegraph Departments. This application has accordingly been lodged. Mr Turnbull saia the executive made it clear that this action was being taken because it was the only means of obtaining for its members salary increases to which they obviously were entitled and which they needed so badly. The association still maintained that the amount of £22 was not adequate to bring public servants into linn with other workers and that the Government Service Tribunal set up was unsatisfactory. It would continue its efforts to remedy both these matters. Various measures for future action along these lines were discussed.