TEN PER CENT CUT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1932, Page 5

TEN PER CENT CUT

SEAMEN’S WAGES

RESULT OF BALLOT AMONG MEN.

(Per Pnss Association Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, November 2.

It has been reliably; stated this evening that the New Zealand Seamen’s Union has accept a ten per cent wage - cut:. This decision has been the outcome :'of ballots that were taken at stop-work meetings/that it is the result of negotiations between the u|nion and the Shipowners’ Federation; 1 The wage reduction affects both the - deck hands and the engine-room staffs. Up to the present, extreme reticence has been observed by both' panties. ’ It is understood that the voting in favour of accepting the cut disclosed a two to one inajortity. . ; .

The union officials refuse to issue any statement covering the position. Similarly, it is not admitted that the Shipowners’ Federation has been advised officially as to the result of the ballot.

It is believed that file ten per cent cut will operate from November Ist, and that its acceptance is limited to » period of three months. ' The acceptance of the ten per cent ; cut does not necessarily mean that the r ship-owner# and the Seamens’ Union have reached a . pew agreement, Though closely related,/ the issues have been separated by the union, and th-o decision regarding a, new agreement will not be finalised until the re- ' suit of the plebiscite to be taken at all of the New Zealand ports is known. This may not be until the end of Jan-, uary. / •

The acceptance of fthe ten per cent cut means, in effect, that the seamen’s wages will be subject to .the same reduction as those of the workers who were affected by the Arbitration Court’s general order. The previous agreement between the union and the Shipowners’ Federation was 'sub-' ject to the general ©rder.