BOILERMAKERS’ DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10811, 29 January 1921, Page 8

BOILERMAKERS’ DISPUTE

TROUBLE AT THE SLIP. WHY “DIRT-MONEY” IS CLAIMED A]:]. repair work at the Wellington Patent Slip is held up owing to the demand by the boilermaker® for “dirtmoney,” which. the employers refuse to entertain. Several vessels are due for overhauls, and uuldss the trouble is scon settled some of the boats Trill go to other ports for the work. “Dirt-money” is the term applied to the extra payment of Is 6d per day when the boilermakers are employed on dirty work. The bodflermakeu'e concerned in the dispute are working on tlhe outside of the hulls of the steamers Kennedy and Alexander. It is contended that this work is not dirty, and that the claim for “dirt-money” is prompted by other considerations. The boilermakers’ labourers who are working inside the vessel’s holds are on a dirty job and are allowed “dirtmoney” at the rat© of Is fid per day. the labourers' usual' rate of pay on a clean job is Is Id per day . less than skilled boilermakers, but if the former are granted “dirt-money” their wages are increased to 2d per day more than the boilermakers’ ordinary pay f.or clean work. The boilermakers. object to receiving lees’ pay than, an unskilled tradesman working on the. same job with them. This, it is asserted by one who is closely associated with the trade, is the crux of the trouble. The Kennedy has about another ten days’ repair \t’ork to be done before she can leave the slip. The Alexander ha® only 50 rivets to be put in. The small -steamier Huia is waiting alongside the slip wharf to go on the cradle for three or four days’ repair work. The Ngaihere, due at Wellington to-night from Gisborne, is also due for an overhaul.