MARINE STEWARDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18599, 29 December 1920, Page 6

MARINE STEWARDS.

BONGS OF TEN SHILLINGS PER MONTH

COURT’S MEMORANDUM. [Pf.r Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 28. The Arbitration Court has made its award in reference to the application of marine cooks and stewards for a bonus of £2 per month. The Court has decided upon a bonus of 10s per month for all workers other than cadets and assistants, who are to receive 3s 6d per month. Orders have been made accordingly amending awards with the Union Steam Ship Company and. coastal shipping companies, tho industrial agreement covering galley staffs. In a memorandum attached to the orders the Court states:—“Considering the special character of tho employment in which the workers covered by this’ award are engaged, and l of the substantial increases in wages which have from time to time been granted, qitlier by agreement of the parties or by awards of the Court, increases which have fully compensated the workers for the increased cost of living since the outbreak of war, the ma jority of the Court, had considerable doubt as to whether they ought not to dismiss the present application. They have, however, decided to grant a bonus of 10s per month to workers other than cadets, to whom the sum of 3s 6d per month has been granted, and the above order lias Been made to amend the award nccoringly. It is not quite equivalent, to the recent bonuses of 3s per week granted to workers in industries, properly so-called. The majority of the Court are of opinion, that inasmuch as the workers are supplied with food and accommodation by the employers it is manifestly inequitable that the latter should be compelled to pay the full bonus representing the increased cost of living to the workers, when part of that increase, by nature of th© employment, already falls on them. The Court lias not always recognised this principle in dealing with, bonus applications in a. case where the workers are supplied with board and lodging by their employers, as for example hotel workers, but the question is open for consideration in any future case.

“Mr M’Cullough dissents from this decision, in that he thinks that the full amount of the recent bonus should have been allowed.” Last week the cooks and stewards were inclined to tako drastic action to enforce the demand of £2 per month, but declared a truce until after the holidays. ’

The seamen, who are also demanding a bonus of £2 per month, will meet the employers in conference on January IX.