WATERSIDE WAGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27389, 15 May 1950, Page 4

WATERSIDE WAGES

6s An Hour Claimed Industrial Correspondent WELLINGTON, May 14. The president of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, Mr H. Barnes, announces that the union has told the Waterfront Industry Commission that it wants a wage rate of 6s an hour. This is a 2s an hour, or 50 per cent., rise on the watersiders’ present rate. It would put the watersiders’ average earnings up to £ls or £l6 a week. • . Mr Barnes said, “We have advised the commission that we call for an early conference to consider our claims for an increase of 6s an hour and also an increase in meal money.” Mr Barnes alleged that the commission’s handling of the King Neptune dispute over the unloading of cement was a breach of the contract system and left the watersiders free on their part to “ignore out of the contractual obligations to work for 4s an hour.” This is an indication that after a period of comparative quiet on the waterfront, Mr Barnes and his union are getting to ready to force the issue on wage rates. The biennial conference of the union in December last instructed its national officials to move for a wage rate of 5s an hour, with the removal of' subsidies. Another shilling has been added to the union’s claim.