§ 57. Mr. AMMONasked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that the Association of Executive Officers and other civil servants enjoys central recognition by his Department in respect of the seniority of ex-supplementary clerks, that the association has in membership over 90 per cent. of such clerks, and that he has received representations from the association on the subject of seniority, why he refuses to receive a deputation from the association or to submit the dispute to arbitration?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)The seniority of ex-supplementary clerks relatively to other clerks was fixed over six years ago. The settlement was in the nature of a compromise, as neither of the Staff Associations concerned was prepared to give way on its own particular claims. It was not until 1928 that the Executive Officers' Association sought to disturb the arrangement on the strength of an arbitration award on the subject of pay. A deputation from the association was received by the Post Office and subsequently representations were made to me with a request that I should receive a further deputation. The settlement of 1923, which was in my opinion a reasonable one, could not at this late date be departed from without serious injustice to officers who would be adversely affected; and in these circumstances I do not consider that a personal discussion on the subject would serve any useful purpose. Questions of seniority are not proper to be referred to the Industrial Court.
§ Mr. AMMONIs it not a fact that when the supplementary clerks were absorbed into another class, the question of salary and seniority came under discussion and that the former point was considered and an award made by the Industrial Court, but that the second point was outside the purview of the Court; and cannot the right hon. Gentleman concede the paint as to a deputation, which is a reasonable request?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have already said that I have examined the matter and that I see no reason for altering the arrangement made six years ago. Indeed, it could not be done without serious injustice to other men.