SEAMEN'S DEMANDS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 32, 7 February 1930, Page 8

SEAMEN'S DEMANDS

OWNERS FORCED TO ACCEDE

(By Telesraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHTJBCH, This Day.

The Chatham Islands steamer Tees sailed for Waitangi at noon yesterday. The vessel was originally scheduled to sail from Lyttelton to the Chathams on Tuesday evening, but was delayed owing to the deckhands refusing to take the ship to sea unless given a guarantee by the owners that they would concede an additional Is 6d per hour over and above the union rates of pay while engaged in handling cargo either at the Chatham Islands or at Lyttelton. The owners refused to grant the extra money, not wishing to create a precedent in view of the fact that the payment was not authorised by the award. The matter was referred to the Shipowners' Federation, who apparently consulted with the Seamen's Union. So far as could be ascertained by the agents of tho ship up to Wednesday evening no satisfactory reply had been received from the union. The men contended from the first that it was not a union affair but purely individual.

In view of tho large quantities of sheep awaiting shipment at tho Chathams and tho seriousness of the vessel being delayed, the Westland Shipping Co. had no option but to meet the demands of the men. It was agreed to pay the differential rate, which is equal to the men's demand, pending a reply from the Shipowners' Federation in respect to the result of their conference with the Seamen's Union.

The agents of tho Tees express keen dissatisfaction concerning the manner in which the dispute was handled by the executive of the Shipowners'. Federation. It was pointed out that the seamen concerned draw about £16 a month in wages in addition to about £10 a month overtime. It is expected that the additional la 6d per hour demanded will amount, to another £10, making a total of£36 « month besides their keep. •