Q I have been employed as a driver X since August
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1972 and am one of two drivers taking fortnightly turns of nights and days. The work is no different on either of the turns.
My mate's wages are higher than mine. When my colleagues pointed this out to me, I approached the works manager who explained that he did not give the later driver in the firm the same rate as it was a probation period. However, a fortnight later, I received a wage of 123 basic plus £4 bonus (524p per hour).
My colleague's wages are 123.40 plus 15 bonus.
I have been Wormed unofficially that I may claim the same rate as my colleague and also claim for the back pay due to me since August.
Has the firm the right to work us a 44-hour week, and five nights a week. We start at 9 pm on Sunday; should they pay us double-time?
AThe minimum provincial rate as from May 24 1972 (RH 96) is £18.48 for vehicles of 5-10 tons carrying capacity. Your firm may pay drivers on a semiskilled rate basis related to production workers' pay and it would appear you were getting above the driver's minimum rate under RH 96 before you had a rise
in September 1972. • It is quite in order for an employer to pay a driver with more seniority a higher rate of pay.
We do not know how your firm arrives at your mate's £23.40 pay unless he is paid lp a hour more than you for a 40-hour week. You do not say whether you are a trade union member. If you think the present situation grossly unfair it is an obvious case to take up with your local union representative.
It would be normal for you to be paid double-time for Sunday work unless you agreed on terms precluding this when you were engaged.
You could get a copy of RH96 from the Department of Employment. It would explain the complicated rules for overtime, etc, calculations.