MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18544, 3 May 1922, Page 6

MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD

DISPUTE WITH UNION COMPANY. OFFICERS CITED. { (P«» United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. May 2. Negotiations recently took place between the Union Steam Ship Company and the Merchant Service Guild with reference to wages and conditions of officers employed in the company’s vessels. The company offered to continue paying the wages at present ruling until the Arbitration Court made its pronouncement on the wages question, provided the officers agreed to certain modifications in their working conditions. Members of the Merchant Service Guild took » ballot on the question of accepting the proposals of the company, with the result that members voted against acceptance. The Union Company _ has now cited the guild under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. A pressman was informed to-day that the company is seeking an award providing for a reduction on' the present rates of wages amounting approximately to 20 per cent., as well as a variation in working conditions. It is understood that the guild desires that the present working conditions should continue in force, and that wages should be adjusted according to economic conditions. The members of the guild work under the principle of an eight-hour day, and when the company first entered into negotiations with the officers it was stated that it ought to revert back to the 56-hour week, which was in force previous to the agreement with the guild coming into operation. The dispute filed by the Union Company against the guild will be heard by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. Newton) at Wellington on Monday next.