asked the Minister for Local Government the nature of any proposal received from local authorities regarding a phased wage increase and service pay for engineers' office assistants; the date of such proposal; and his decision.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Engineering Assistants.
28.
A proposal to increase the wages of engineers' office assistants by 20/- per week with effect from 1st April, 1968, was received on 5th June, 1968, from Monaghan County Council. On 19th September, 1968, the same local authority submitted further proposals to increase the wages of the workers referred to by an additional 17/6d per week with effect from 1st April, 1969, and to grant them service pay with effect from 1st April, 1968, as follows: — 5/-, 10/-, 15/- and 20/- per week after five, ten, 15 and 20 years' service respectively. These proposals are under consideration at present but, as the present rate of pay of the employees in question is the standard rate applicable to engineers' office assistants employed by county councils throughout the country, a decision must awaitthe receipt of proposals from a representative number of local authorities. The Monaghan County Council proposal is the only one received so far.
Is the Minister aware that the County Managers' Association, by an agreement dated two months ago, have agreed to similar proposals following Labour Court discussions?
I have received only the one proposal from Monaghan.
I understand.