asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that a temporary postman employed by his Department receives less than an unemployed worker who is entitled to stamp benefit; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to improve the pay of temporary postmen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay of Temporary Postmen.
23.
The pay of a temporary full-time postman ranges from £7 8s. 3d a week, at 18 years of age, to £12 11s. 3d a week at a small office, and from £7 13s. 11d at 18 years of age, to £13 0s. 9d a week at the largest office. Normally the rates of pay would substantially exceed unemployment benefit payable.
Part-time (auxiliary) postmen are paid at hourly rates and their total earnings are therefore related to the actual hours worked. In individual cases, the wages payable for a part-time post may, therefore, be less than the unemployment benefit to which a married man with several dependants might be entitled.
The pay of temporary and part-time postmen is settled through the general scheme for Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service. Their pay was last revised under this scheme as from 1st June 1966.