WHARF LABOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 March 1922, Page 5

WHARF LABOUR

DISPUTE BEFORE COURT. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. J For the first time since 1908, the_Ar- t : 1 ration Court is hearing a dispute ° dealing with work on the waterfront. The proceedings were initiated by the employers and the Union med counterclaims. The Union asks for an increase of a penny per hour in the rates of pay, which are now 2/4 per hour ordinary time, 3/5 per hour overtime up to it) p.m., and 4/- per hour overtime from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. •'

The employers ask that the rates *oe 1/7 per hour ordinary time and overtime They also desire to abolish stop-work meetings and suggest special provisions against “go-slow” tactics and stoppages for funerals. Opening the case for the employers, Mr W. G. Smith emphasised its importance as the key industry. Approximately £1,200,000 was paid in wages per annum for waterside work. The basic wage had increased 64.7 per cent, since 1914, but owing to the onerous conditions forced on the employers, the men’s actual earnings increased 71 per cent. As an instance of the effect of high labour costs increasing unemployment and detrimentally afecting the industry, he quoted the position in Australia. So bad was the case, that the Union Company, for the first time in 30 years, had not paid a dividend. Most of the shipping companies were now running at a loss and unless the expenditure was reduced, then still more ships would be laid up.