WAGES IN SALVAGE WORK.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14759, 1 September 1913, Page 8

WAGES IN SALVAGE WORK.

SPECIAL RATES DEMANDED. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, August 31. On being formally ordered to begin work yesterday morning, the waterside workers who had been engaged to salvage tho cargo of the wrecked steamer Devon, refused to do so unless they were paid at the rate of 5s per hour. This demand was decided upon at a meeting of the men held yesterday morning. The difficulty, however, was got over after a delay of nearly two hours, and during the morning the company's permanent men and others outside the union were sent to carry out tho work, but the company has not yet got the number it requires. The position was explained to a reporter by Mr N. Galbraith, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, for which company the Devon had been chartered. * He pointed out that the ordinary rates of pay under the Watersido Workers' agreement with the shipping companies were: —ls-5d per hour ordinary time, 2s 2d per hour from then up till 10 p.m. and 2s 3d until 8 a.m. This agreement is for wharf labour at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin and Timaru. A special arrangement for 12s per day is made for work at out ports. Further provision is made for men engaged to work within tho limits of any of the harbours covered by this agreement, to bo paid from the time of leaving the place of engagement, and up to the time of arrival at tho wharf on return. Although the wreck of the Devon is strictly within the harbour limits, the men decided that it was a special job, and made their claim accordingly. The shipping companies, however, made a special offer of 2s per hour in the daytime, and 3s per hour overtime, under tho conditions existing to-day, which are practically that the men will be engaged on dry cargo, there being no need for working in water. With the work becoming more arduous, the shipping company was prepared to again consider the position. In order to avoid delay, arrangements were made with a certain number of permanent men and others to proceed with the work, and these were conveyed to the scene of the wreck. As the men (thoso demanding the extra pay) claim that this particular job is outside the agreement entered into, the company considered that thero was no option but to engage any outside labour offering.