THE SEAMEN'S DISPUTE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVX, Issue 3034, 22 January 1897, Page 3

THE SEAMEN'S DISPUTE.

Following the filing of papers by the Dunedin branch of the Seamen’s Union, the Wellington branch yesterday filed, through their solicitor, Mr Hindmarsb, the necessary papers with the object of bringing the rate of wages paid to seamen, firemen and trimmers under the notice of the Arbitration and Conoiliation Board. The documents sot out that Charles Seagcr, of tbo Wellington Stoam Packet Company, and the Wellington branch of the Union having failed to .adjust their dispute, application is made to secure the verdict of the Wellington Arbitration and Conciliation Board. In addition to the demand for the restitution of the old rato of wages from which they wore reduced in 1593, the men ask for the following concessions : - (o) Increase of fid per hour for overturn; work ; (5) days to bo observed as holidays to bo Christinas Day, Boxing Day, New Fear’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Queen’s Birthday ; (c) full day’s wages at overtime rates to bo paid for any work done on any of the holidays. Sundays and holidays on which a ship leaves port to count as days of full overtime of eight hours each; (d) members of tho Union to have prior right to employment when available ; (e! permission for representatives of the Union to visit members of the said Union on board ship. A further batch of papers will be filed shortly with regard to a similar dispute with the local steamers of the Union Steam Ship Company.