THE SEAMEN'S UNION AND OVERTIME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7928, 20 July 1887, Page 2

THE SEAMEN'S UNION AND OVERTIME.

(Fiiom Ouu Own Oobrkspondent.)

Auckland, July 19,

A disagreement has again taken place between the Northern Shipping Company and the Seamen's Union on the question of overtime. It appears about two months ago a letter was addressed to the head office of the union at Port Chalmers, asking the union to forgo payment for overtime to seamen engaged in the company's service, and setting forth the grounds on which this request was made. It was stated that owing to tho depressed condition of the shipping trade such pajment entailed a heavy burden on the company's resources, and that as the company's steamers were engaged in working bar harbours and tidal rivers it was impossible for the work of vessels to be done within the hours laid down in the rules of tho union. A reply to this letter has been returned to the effect that no concession whatever would be made, and that the company might consider themselves fortunate in not having to pay more than they were doing. The conciliatory methods employed by the company having failed to produce any satisfactory result, the directors have determined on resisting the demands of tho union and of employing men who are not bound by its rules. In coming to this decision the company state they have no quarrel with the men at present in their employ, and that they are prepared to retain them if they agree to forego overtime and return to the former rate of wages,—viz., £6 per month. The Seamen's Union requests seamen and firemen not to ship in the company's boats.