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POST AND TELEGRAPH.

POSITION OF CASUAL MEN. PROTEST TO MINISTER. AUCKLAND, Friday. “ This is a callous and iniquitous method of reducing the number of men in employment. Apparently the men have been threatened with instant dismissal should they contract any illness or meet with an accident unless while at work.” These statements were -made by Mr. A. W. Hall, M.P. for Hauraki, in a letter to the Hon. G. W. Forbes, concerning a circular issued to casual employees of the Post and Telegraph Department. The circular says; “The secretary has instructed that casual employees on a day-to-day basis are not now granted leave of absene. Their employment automatically ceases when they cease duty on account of sickness or other cause and they cannot be re-engaged. In future, when a temporary workman is absent from duty on account of sickness or other cause, except annual leave, aproved time off, absence due to accidents sustained while on duty and approved by the secretary, he is to be paid off.’’ After making the observations quoted, Mr, Hall’s letter of protest to Mr. Forbes says: “In view of the alarming increase in unemployment this year, surely the present is a most inopportune time for the dismissal of post and telegraph employees. Even if it is absolutely necessary to reduce the staff, could not some other method have been adopted? It seems inequitable that a Government department should penalise temporary'workmen, many of whom have been in Hie department’s employment for a number of years. I feel sure that when your attention is drawn to this matter, steps will be taken immediately to remedy the injustice.” Inquiries revealed that most' of the men likely to be affected are casual workers performing skilled or semiskilled work for the department. While they have not been under any delusion that their work was permanent, their proficiency led to their re-engagement as soon as one job was finished and another became available. STRONG EXCEPTION TAKEN. AN INIQUITOUS CIRCULAR. ACTION FAR FROM HUMANE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. Strong exception is taken in Auckland to the Post and Telegraph Department’s circular instructing the automatic dismissal of casual workers if absent from work for any cause. Mr Savage, M.P., declared that who ever was responsible l'or the circular is not ft for bis position. Rev. Jasper Calder, social worker, said the circular is iniquitous, and public opinion will never permit it. Mr Allum, chairman of the Transport Board, said the Department’s action is far from humane, especially when other work is so scarce.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19300523.2.49

Bibliographic details

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18027, 23 May 1930, Page 7

Word Count
421

POST AND TELEGRAPH. Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18027, 23 May 1930, Page 7

POST AND TELEGRAPH. Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18027, 23 May 1930, Page 7