BONUS FOR WATERSIDERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 92, 12 January 1921, Page 4

BONUS FOR WATERSIDERS

EMPLOYERS MAKE INCREASED OFFER. “Stop-work” meetings of watersiders in all the ports of the Dominion were held yesterday to consider the offer made by the employers to delegates of the unions on the subject of the Novenfber cost-of-living bonus, when the Arbitration Court "ave its decision of 3s. a week, working out at fd. per hour. The Watersiders' Federation, which docs not employ the machinery of the Arbitration Court for the settlement of its disputes with the employers, but reaches agreement by way of direct negotiation, made a demand for a similar bonus, which was considered by delegates of the watersiders and x>f the emplovers concerned. The conference resulted in an offer being made by the employers, and it is understood that the amount offered was Id. per hour. The Waterside 'Workers’ Federation is taking a ballot on the question of accepting or rejecting the offer, and the result should be known in about a fortnight’s time. Results of the ballots held in the various ports will be forwarded to the central executive- at Wellington, and acceptance will depend on the vote from all parts of the Dominion. A Press Association telegram states that a ballot was taken at New- Plymouth yesterday, and although no figures were disclosed, it was understood that the offer was rejected practically unanimously bv the 69 members of the local branch of the federation who were present at the preliminary "stop-work” meeting.