COOKS AND STEWARDS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11661, 27 October 1923, Page 5

COOKS AND STEWARDS

NEW AWARD SOUCHT DISCUSSION OPENED BEFORE CONCILIATION COMMISSIONER. HOURS AND WAGES. The cooks and stewards’ dispute was discussed before the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr W. H. Newton, yesterday. The assessors were: Messrs E. Kennedy, W. P. Walsh, and A. Robb (for the union), W. G. Smith, A. Naismith, and W. Ford. It was decided to deal first of all with the cooks' side of the case. The wages claims of the union represented a general increase. For instance, chief cooks on intercolonial vessels now receive £2l 3s 4d per calendar month, and the claim of the union was for £23 10s for them. For chief cooks on other vessels, an increase from £l9 3s 4d to £22 10s wtos sought. Going down the scale to the assistant cooks, who now receive £ll 13s 4d, the union asked, for an increase to £l6. The counter-claims of the employers amounted generally to a decrease of £2 3s 4d per calendar month on the present rates of pay. This would work out at a loss of 10s a week. In the case of ship’s cook a reduction from £l7 3s 4d to £l3 was registered. At present a ten-houre’ day operates, but the union’s demands are for eight hours. It was contended by the assessors representing shipowners that a reduction in hours as claimed would result m considerably increased expenditure by the employers. It was only since 1916 that tKere had been a limitation. Mr Kennedy said that the workers would not be satisfied till they had got rid of the ten-hours’ day, and had an eight-hours’ day. Mr Smith said that while the overtime payments in 1915 to the providore staff were £2500, now they amounted to. £42,000. That was what the union had gained by the limitation of hours. Mr Smith added that recently in Australia there had been a decrease of wages and an increase of hours. Some clauses in the claims which were similar to those in the counterclaims were agreed to, among them that covering the scope of the award. THe award is to operate as a Dominion award, but shall not apply to vessels employed in the inter-State trade of the Commonwealth of Australia or employed in trading with the United Kingdom. In respect of the main clauses, no agreement has been reached, and a further sitting will be held.