asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of hours per week which male night telephonists are required to work; and whether wage rates greater than the basic rates are paid in respect of Saturday or Sunday work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Male Night Telephonists.
42.
Male night telephonists are conditioned to a working week of 46 hours gross which, exclusive of main meal intervals, is 40 hours net. In addition, casual meal reliefs of up to half an hour per night are allowed and a time allowance of one seventh is made for all attendances between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. In effect, therefore, the net working week is about 34 hours.
Male night telephonists attend on five nights weekly, which may include Saturday and/or Sunday as part of the normal working week. Work on those days does not attract any special payment but, of course, this is one of the conditions of employment taken into account in determining the pay of the grade.
Will the Minister agree that the working conditions of these men which he has just related to the House give substantial ground for their complaint that their conditions of service have not been adequately improved? Having regard to this would the Minister not now meet them to see if these difficulties could be overcome?
That is a different question altogether.
Would the Minister not agree that this goes as much to the root of the present difficulties as any other statement?
I am not so aware.
43.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the proportion of male night telephonists who are established; if he will have steps taken to facilitate the remainder to become established after a certain period of service; and if he will state in respect of the remainder the number with service of more than (i) 18 months, (ii) two years, (iii) three years, (iv) four years, (v) five years and (vi) ten years.
Twenty per cent of the full time male night telephonists employed are established. Six competitions for established positions as male night telephonist confined to serving temporary officers were held by the Civil Service Commissioners during the past thirteen years, including one this year, and similar competitions will be held at reasonable intervals in the future. Every serving male night telephonist who had three years service on the 1st August, 1965 has had at least one opportunity of acquiring an established appointment provided his health and conduct were satisfactory. The answer to the last portion of the Deputy's question is as follows:— (i) 105, (ii) 76, (iii) 61, (iv) 52, (v) 47, (vi) 23.
Is the Minister aware that in Northern Ireland after a male night telephonist has 18 months service he may become established? Is the Minister further aware that one of the grievances which male night telephonists have is the fact that these examinations are not held on dates which are settled well in advance and that very short notice is given to night telephonists to allow them to study for these examinations? Would the Minister have regard to these complaints in relation to this service?
I am not aware of the complaints. I think in regard to time for study they must be aware that the opportunity periodically arises. Therefore, they should be in a position to make provision for study easily.
In regard to comparison of pay with that of the Six-County Government grades, I am not in a position to say exactly how it relates in this particular section but I know, generally speaking, that pay in the Post Office service here compares very favourably with that in the Six Counties.
The Minister is now going out to the whole service——
I do not want to embarrass the Minister but will he now say that this undesirable situation will be brought to a speedy conclusion by his presiding with the two unions involved?
That is an entirely separate matter.
That is a different question altogether.
Surely to state that it is a different question is not satisfactory to the House.
I have said it is a different question.
The Minister for Justice has caused enough trouble already in arresting men on picket. He has caused enough outside the House without causing it inside.
Order. I have ruled that the supplementary question does not relatively arise, and, therefore, may not be asked.
Surely the Minister should extend courtesy to the House.
I have not been asked that question at all.
But you took the opportunity to tell us.
I wish people would refrain from trying to cash in——
That is codology.
There is a right and a wrong in this dispute and the Minister is on the wrong side.
44.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the hourly rate of pay for (a) full-time and (b) part-time male telephonists; and why are they paid at different rates.
The scales of pay of full-time male night telephonists, which are weekly scales, and part-time male night telephonists are in the form of a tabular statement which with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report. All the rates shown were fixed following acceptance of agreed recommendations in 1964 of the Post Office Departmental Council under the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service.
Male Night Telephonist
Scales of pay
|
Class I Office |
Class II Office |
Class III Office |
|||||||
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
£ |
s. |
d. |
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
At 20 years |
7 |
19 |
0 |
7 |
15 |
10 |
7 |
12 |
8 |
|
,,21,, |
9 |
16 |
0 |
9 |
12 |
1 |
9 |
8 |
2 |
|
,,22 ,, |
10 |
6 |
1 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
17 |
10 |
|
,,23 ,, |
10 |
17 |
3 |
10 |
13 |
1 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
|
,,24 ,, |
11 |
8 |
6 |
11 |
4 |
0 |
10 |
19 |
3 |
|
11 |
19 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
0 |
|
|
12 |
10 |
10 |
12 |
5 |
10 |
12 |
0 |
9 |
|
|
13 |
2 |
7 |
12 |
17 |
4 |
12 |
12 |
1 |
|
|
13 |
14 |
4 |
13 |
8 |
10 |
13 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
14 |
6 |
1 |
14 |
0 |
4 |
13 |
14 |
9 |
|
|
14 |
18 |
0 |
14 |
11 |
9 |
14 |
6 |
0 |
Class I Office—Dublin.
Class II Office—Cork, Limerick and Waterford.
Class III Office—All other offices.
Temporary Male Night Telephonists
|
Class I Office |
Class II Office |
Class III Office |
|||||||
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
£ |
s. |
d. |
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
At 20 years |
7 |
19 |
0 |
7 |
15 |
10 |
7 |
12 |
8 |
|
,,21,, |
9 |
16 |
0 |
9 |
12 |
1 |
9 |
8 |
2 |
|
,,22,, |
10 |
6 |
1 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
17 |
10 |
|
,,23,, |
10 |
17 |
3 |
10 |
13 |
1 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
|
,,24,, |
11 |
8 |
6 |
11 |
4 |
0 |
10 |
19 |
3 |
|
11 |
16 |
3 |
11 |
11 |
6 |
11 |
6 |
9 |
Part-time Male Night Telephonists
|
Under 21 years |
5s. 7d. |
|
At 21 and over |
6s. 7½d |
Would the Minister explain why part-time night telephonists who work during the more comfortable hours of the night are paid at a rate much higher than the full-time night telephonists, who work when other men are gone to bed?
I do not agree it is a much higher rate at all. In fact, there is very little difference but these people have not the many benefits which apply to the whole-time workers and they have to accept whatever number of hours may come their way.
Are we to understand from the Minister that it is more important to pay people at a higher rate for pin-money than people who are trying to earn a living wage?
I do not agree with the implication and I think that the rates are very generous.
Would the Minister agree with me that the male night telephonists were not represented on the particular body which he said accepted those terms and that that is the kernel of this dispute?
I do not agree.
I would not expect you to agree.