UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY'S BENEFIT SCHEME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9130, 1 June 1891, Page 3

UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY'S BENEFIT SCHEME.

For somo time past the directors of tho Union Company have had under their consideration the adoption of a schema by which tho relations between the company and its employes afloat would bo drawn more closely together, and tho carrying out of which would tend to mako each take a more direct interest iv tho other's welfare, nnd so lead to the establishment of a strong bond of sympathy botween them. It has always been the company's aim so to treat their meu that an attachment to tho service wonld bo the natural result of employment under its flag, and their present desire is to encourage their employes to look upon tho service as their permanent home. As the most likely means of bringing about this desirable state of affairs, tho directors of the company have decided to establish a mutual benefit sooiety, to be maintained by contributions from the members, assisted by a contribution from the company of £500 per annum. In addition to this yearly subsidy the company gives a donation of £500 to start the society. The benefits to bo conferred are similar to those granted by other benefit societies — viz., pecuniary relief in cases of sickness or disablement by accident; medical attendance and funeral allowances, &c.; but the subsidy contributed by the company enables the members' contributions to be fixed at rates much lower than usual, while a new and attractive feature of the society is a provision for refunding to members retiring from the service the surrender value of their contributions. We have perused the rules of the society, and they appear to be framed in a most liberal spirit, and provide for tho members having a large say in the management. The society comes into existence to-day, and we learn, from inquiries made, that it is looked upon by tbe meu with very great favour. The directors of the company arc greatly interested in the result of their experiment, as they look upon the benefit society as a step towards tho establishment of a pension fuud for the benefit of employes retiring after a long period of service in the company's employment. The company's aotion in tho matter is a practical proof ot their interest in their employes, and we should like to see other largo employers of labour following their example. |