SEAMEN WILL CLAIM MORE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30897, 2 November 1965, Page 1

SEAMEN WILL CLAIM MORE

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. The Seamen’s Union will claim for higher wages and more leave to the Shipowners’ Federation within a fortnight, the union’s president (Mr W. Martin) said today.

The union considered the present shortage of seamen in New. Zealand was caused by poor pay and conditions, he said. Five ships were held up in New Zealand ports on Friday because of crew shortages. Both the union and the

shipowners agree that many qualified seamen were working ashore as painters, riggers or even labourers. This was because seamen could make more money ashore, Mr Martin said. He said the basic rate for an able seaman was still no more than £6O a month, with overtime paid at a flat rate of 10s 3d an hour.

Much more money could be made ashore without men being deprived of family life and shore pleasures, Mr Martin said.

Although some seamen did make “terrific” money, they worked long hours for it. Those on the Aramoana worked up to 18 hours a day. So many seamen had sought work in Australia that the Australians had closed their union. Up to 94 had gone there in the last month, one seaman said today. He said some ships' officers had also sought work in Australia. Australian seamen and officers were highly paid by New Zealand standards.

It takes about four years for seamen to qualify. They have to pass Marine Department examinations and Serve 36 months at sea before being class A.B.