CIVIL AIR PILOTS' PAY MORE THAN CABINET MINISTERS

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 April 1950, Page 5

CIVIL AIR PILOTS' PAY MORE THAN CABINET MINISTERS

Comment By The Judge Of The Court Of Arbitration On New Award

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).—“The minimum salaries suggested for a number of workers are appreciably in excess of the salaries of Cabinet Ministers.” said Mr. Justice Tyndall, when a proposed first award for North Island air-line pilots was before the Arbitration Court today.

Mr. W. E. Anderson appeared for the National Airways Corporation and Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd., and Mr. Lisle' Aiderton represented Ihe pilots. |

His Honour said some of the salaries were above the maximum salaries of many heads of Government departments, such as the Commissioner of Transport and the Secretary of Air Department. They were well above those of such officers as the Director and Deputy Director of Civil Aviation. Complete settlement had been reached in conciliation council, but. the Court was bound to have regard to the general purpose of the Economic Stabilisation Act 1948, which was to promote the economic stability of New Zealand. His Honour said it was necessary to point out that when

groups of workers had received an unusual increase in remuneration in the past there had sometimes been reactions among workers and employers in general.

For the pilots, Mr. Alderton said a commercial pilot, was required to have a very high technical skill, flying technique and types of aircraft had been in a state of flux, particularly since the end of Ihe war, and it was essential for pilots to keep up with modern standards. The standard of medical fitness was a superlative one. An average pilot's flying career ended at the age of 45. and in many cases much earlier than that. Mr. Alderton said that increased speeds and the development of new craft had been accompanied by an increase in noise volume, which had an effect on health, particularly on hearing. The wage rates asked were to cover the worst conditions pilots were asked to fly in. The highest grade payment in the claim started at 11475. Both parties had agreed that the award should start as from April, 1948. Captain G. R. White, of the Corporation, said he would benefit by £75 by

the introduction of the award and Captain D. W. G. Keesing, of Tasman Empire Airways, said he would benefit by £75 a year, and would be entitled to £1450 under the new scale. Asked by His Honour if he knew thgt Royal N.Z. Air Force pilots were flying from Singapore to Hongkong, were using identical aircraft to some in N.A.C. and were doing comparable duties, but receiving very much lower salaries than those of the civil pilots. Captain Keesing said that Air Force pilots were not required to hold the qualificaitons that civil pilots did for companies.

Mr. Anderson said there was no other group of workers comparable to pilots. Stabilisation would not he disturbed if the Court approved the award. Decision was reserved.