THE WATERSIDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4461, 31 January 1917, Page 5

THE WATERSIDERS.

SERIOUS DISPUTE THREATENED.

UNEASY SITUATION I^ T WELL! NO,TON.

SOME WHARF INCIDENTS

(Press Association Telegram.)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 30. Conditions on the waterfront, it is reported, are becoming more unsatisfactory. This morning the men did not present themselves for engagement at 7.45. It is understood that they desire an alteration, so that the hours will be Bto 9 o’clock. As men were unavailable at the usual time the labor foremen left the stands. Men were afterwards picked up for boats which arrived later. A call was made for labor to work a Horne steanfer, gangs from wuich were dismissed yesterciay, but none were obtained. On the other boat, the butter-load-ing gang of which was discharged yesterday, cheese-loading continued today.

The American steamer Edward Luckenbach, with a cargo of kerosene, also experienced trouble, a dispute arising as to the rate of pay. The men claimed that she was an oil steamer, and they were entitled.to 2s an hour, instead of Is lOd. The employers disagreed and work was stopped. Later the employers found the vessel was an oil steamer under the agreement, and a gang was engaged on the terms demanded.

Imperial meat was going aboard one vessel at much below the usual rate. The result was that many hundred carcases were undisposed of to-day, and it will be impossible to discharge them from the trucks till to-morrow.

THE EMPLOYERS 1 SIDE.

MEN’S DEMANDS IMPOSSIBLE

SOME INTERESTING COMPARISONS.

(Press Association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 30. The employers to-night issued a lengthy statement dealing with the waterside dispute, reviewing the recent conference proceedings- Tie employers have reached the following decisions :• — f That having regard to the representations made by other classes of employers as to the serious effect of any increase in wages to the waterside workers would have upon other trades and industries, that in view of the comparatively high wages now’ being earned by waterside workers, and that as the adoption of working conditions of the nature asked would so tamper shipping-operations as to seriously interfere with the shipping trade of the Dominion, the Employers’ Conference has reluctantly arrived at the decision that it cannot take the responsibility of increasing wages or altering the present working conditions unless so directed by the Conciliation Council or Arbitration Court. In view of the above decision and of the definite reiusal of the New Zealand Waterside Federation to have the matter dealt with under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. and as that is the only means provided by law for dealing with such a situation as has arisen, the Employers’ Conference has decided to take immediate steps to cite the New Zealand Waterside Federation in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and that if the Federation so desires, the employers will agree to expert assessors being appointed as provided by Section 112 of the Act. •‘The following are some typical examples of the improved conditions demanded by the Federation: — New Present Demand. Practice Gangs at 'catch 2 3to 4

Quarters of beef 12 18 to 20 The result of the demands for working conditions, if acceded to, would he to reduce the output by one-third to one-half, and would require approximately 25 per cent, more men to do the work. The following examples show the wages per hour before the war, the increase granted on February Ist, 1916. and the new claims respectively in each class mentioned: — —General Cargo— Auckland. Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin— . Pro- Feb. Aew

are 2s oil ordinary. 3s 3d overtime, and 4s 7d special, and for carrying coal in baskets 3s, 4s, and 6s; cement, superphosphates, etc., 2s <d, 3s -d, statement deals in detail with the earnings of men at different ports, and concludes as follows1“An mcrication of what the increases already oranted to the waterside workers duimcr the war period and the demands now made will cost the general publw may he gained from the lollowing cost of the increase granted m February, 1916 which is £130,000 per annum like cost of the present wages demand, is £250,000 per annum, and the extra cost of the proposed new working conditions £150,000 per anmtm-a total of £530,000. In other words,, what is proposed is that each worker on the waterfront of the Dominion should have his earning power increased. m oludinor the increases granted m 1 ebruary,l.9l6, by £2 per week.

Carcases of mutton in a hoist 25 35 Lambs 35 60 Boxes of butter 30 45 Crates of cheese ”10 24

War. Claim Ordinary hours ... 1 d IS . 2/2 Overtime 2 2 2/6 3 0 Special overtime... 2/3 2/9 4/4 Minor Ports — Ordinary hours 1/S I'll 0 0 Overtime 2/2 2 '6 3/0 Suecial overtime... 2/3 2/9 4/4 —Frozen Cargo— Auckland — Ordinary Ihours ... , 2/3 2,(43 2/6 Overtime 3 3 3 5 3/7 Sneeial overtime... 3/3 3/6 5/0 Wellington, Dunedin. A Lyttelton— Ordinary hours ... 1.9 2;U 0 Overtime 2/9 3/1 3/7 Special overtime... 2/11 3/5 5 0 The new claims for shovelling coal