Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked what are the minimum and maximum weekly wages of postal employés known as gang-hands, what is the nature of the work performed by these men, and the hours they are required to work; and what improvements in their conditions of service are proposed under the Holt Report?
§ Captain NORTONGang-hands are men of various grades (labourers, wiremen, etc.) employed on telegraph and telephone construction work. Their hours were 50½ net weekly until 2nd February last, when they were reduced to 48 under the Holt Committee's recommendations. Their pay has hitherto been as follows:—
London.
Skilled workmen, Class II.—26s., by annual increments of 1s. 6d. to 38s. per week.
Skilled workmen, Unestablished.—6¼d. to 7¾d. an hour.
Labourers.—6¼d. to 7d. an hour.
Provinces.
Skilled workmen, Class II.—24s., by annual increments of 1s. 6d. to 36s.
Skilled workmen, Unestablished.—5d. to 7d. an hour.
Labourers.—5d. to 6d. an hour.
Under the Holt recommendations the pay of the three grades is, respectively, 1814W 28s. by 1s. 6d. to 38s., 6½d. to 8½d., and 6½d. to 7½d. in London, and 26s. by 1s. 6d. to 36s., 5½d. to 8d., and 5¼d. to 7d. in the provinces. Hitherto the number of established pensionable officers below the rank of inspector has been limited to 50 per cent. of the total number of skilled workmen employed on construction and maintenance work. Under the Holt Committee's recommendations the number will be raised to 50 per cent. of the total adult staff of skilled workmen and labourers combined, and the prospects of the unestablished men are thus improved. The recommendations of the Holt Committee have also resulted in improvements for the construction staff in regard to overtime pay, allowance for walking and travelling time, lodging allowances, and facilities for week-end visits home.