SHIPPING OFFICERS' WAGES AND HOURS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15100, 24 March 1911, Page 5

SHIPPING OFFICERS' WAGES AND HOURS.

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE.

(Peb United Phess Association.) WELLINGTON, March 23.

The industrial dispute which has arisen between the Merchant .Service Guild of Australasia (New Zealand section) and the shipping companies, lias been referred for settlement to the Council of Conciliation. The application is made by the guild; which nominates as its assessors Captains W. H. Ward and A. J. Clime, both of Wellington. Hours and wages are the main points upon which the guild seeks a settlement. '1 he list of employers cited is as follows:—The Maoriland Steam Ship Company, Levin and Co., W. and J. Tumbull and Co., Richardson and Co., Wellington and Wanganui Steam Packet Co., Johnston and Co., Captain T. Eckford (Levin and Co.), Anchor Shipping and Foundary Co., Westland Steam Ship Co., and the Patea Shipping Co. The demands were filed to-day. The guild asks that the following bo fixed as the minimum rates of wages to be paid per month:—To masters and officers of vessels of 1000 gross registered tonnage and under, owned or trading in New Zealand waters; if they are members of the guild, master £28, chief officer £18, second officer £14, third officer £12. A demand is made for annual leave of absence on full pay, masters to a continuous period of 28 days and officers to one of 14 days, second and subsequent holidays as from 12 months since the previous one became due, leavo to begin and end at home port provided that if a master or officer is discharged he shall receive payment in lieu of a holiday. Every master and officer shall be entitled to be absent from his vessel at his home port from the expiration of one hour after his ship has been safely moored until two hours before departure, with this exception, every master and officer to be liable to duty at any time, but not for more than eight hours in any day. Work done in excess of these hours is to entitle a master or officer to overtime paymentmasters at rate of 5s per hour and officers at 2s, 6d per hour. At ail times except during leave of absence, when meals are not, provided for them on board, a, master shall receive a victualling allowance of lCs per day and an officer £6 per day. Wihen ii master or officer is transferred trom one ship or trade to another he shall receive free transit for his family and effects to the port at which ho desires to resido, due notice being given to the employer of intention to change. When a steamer runs an excursion on a public holiday overtime rates shall be paid. The final provisions asked for are:—Notwithstanding anything contained in the articles of agreement signed by officers .or in agreement "with a. master, whon a master cr officer has sewed three months on any hip or ships of an employer service shall be terminable only by a month's notice on either side. Preference shall be'given to members of the guild.