SHIPS’ CARPENTERS CEASE WORK AT WELLINGTON

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1949, Page 5

SHIPS’ CARPENTERS CEASE WORK AT WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, Feb. 17.

A threat, to food cargoes for Britain has developed at the port of Wellington to-day as a consequence of the decision of the shipwork carpenters to cease work until their wage rates are adjusted. The executive of the Wellington Waterside Workers’ Uion met this morning to consider the position of the shipwork carpenters, who form a small section of the union, and it was announced later that it was issuing no statement at present. An official of the union said, however that union members had not ceased work in sympathy with the shipwork carpenters, but it was inevitable that a good many of the watersiders, whose numbers could not vet be estimated, would not be able to work because of the carpenters’ action.

He explained that work by the carpenters was necesary before the ordinary watersiders could perform their duties. For instance, carpenters had to put dunnage down before gangs could load certain types of frozen produce. In the absence of the carpenters, the watersiders had necessarily to discontinue this kind of loading. UNDER OLD AWARD

An official of the carpenters’ section of the Waterside Workers’ Union said that shipwork carpeters were paid 3s 7d an hour, whereas waterside workers, often working alongside them, were paid 3s Bd, and carpenters in employment other than shipwork pere paid at rates up to as much as 4s 3d or 4s 6d. The latest award covering shipwork carpenters was dated 1940. In an effort to improve their position the men had became a section of the Waterside .Workers’ Union, and since then their case had been heard by various tribunals, said the official. ‘The Waterfront Commission in March, 1948, had recommended that shipwork carpenters be placed under the Arbitration Court’s jurisdiction, and a tenative date for the hearing of their claims had been fixed for Wednesday of next week. On Tuesday, the union had been informed that the hearing would not proceed as arranged, the official added. The men were tired of delays in the hearing of their claims. They merely asked that their wages should be fixed on the same principle as was applied to waterside workers.

HEARING NEXT MONTH OF STANDARD WAGE APPLICATION

WELLINGTON, Feb. 17. The applications for a standard wage pronouncement will be heard bv the Arbitration Court in Wellington on Tuesday morning, March 10. . This fixture was made in the Arbitration Court to-day by Mr Justice The application for the fixture was made liy Mrs D. M. Sorrell, appeax'ing for the New Zealand Federation of Labour. She also asked for a simultaneous fixture for the hearing of the application for an amendment of the New Zealand Furniture Trade Employees’ Award. Mi’ J. R Hanlon said he was appearing for the New. Zealand Emplovers* Federation in the inatteis mentioned and also the application made by the employers for a standard wage pronouncement. . His Honour:. You are joining in asking for a fixture? Mr Hanlon: Yes. ■ All Round Rise of 1/- Hour Proposed A direction to the National Executive of the Federation of Labour to. investigate the possibility of amending its claim for an increase of 6d an hour, in standard wage rates so as to claim for Is an hour, was given by the National Council of the federation to-day. The executive was directed to take steps provided it did not delay or involve the withdrawal of the present application before the Court of Arbitration. Otago Public Servants Support Association DUNEDIN, Feb. 17. Unanimous confirmation of decisions reached by the special council meeting of the Public Service AssoNation at Wellington at the beginning of February was given by a well-attended meeting of members of the Otago section last night. The . decisions included the salary claims, tribunal issue and the of victimisation. A statement issued after the meeting said that the meeting unanimously' reaffirmed its confidence in the president of the association, Mr J. P. Lewin, and the national executive.

Firemen Claim Rise in Wages

AUCKLAND. Feb. -17.. An increase of 8s 4d weekly in the minimum wage rate of firemen employed by the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board has been granted under a new award issued by the Arbitration Court. The wage clauses will operate from September 3 last and the other provisions from Monday of this week. . „ Senior firemen will receive £i 6s 9d weekly. Firemen-drivers. and mechanics will get an additional 6s weekly on these rates, having been granted a further 9d weekly. ■ J Under a separate court award, retrospective wage increases are also granted to the officers of the Auckland Fire Board.