WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 19101, 20 November 1923, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

BOILERMAKERS’ DISPUTE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, November 18. A conference of parties reached a basis of settlement in the boilermakers’ dispute which has lasted twenty-nine weeks. The men will ballot thereupon. BREAD CARTERS AND COUNCIL. SYDNEY, November 19. The bread carters have replied to the Labour Council attacks by stating that they attended the latter’s conference only as a matter of courtesy, and not officially; hence they are not bound by the Council’s decision. There are fears of a new union being formed. GISBORNE WATERSIDERS CEASE WORK. (Per United Press Association.) GISBORNE, November 19. The newly-appointed foreman of wharf work having withdrawn as customary from the Union, the watersiders to-day refused to handle any of the cargo in lighters loading wool for the steamer Pakeha. Work is proceeding with free labour. Later. The local disputes committee considered the matter and the trouble was tentatively settled. The matter is to go before the National Disputes Committee. Work in the meantime will go on as usual. COOKS AND STEWARDS. WELLINGTON, November 19. The hearing commenced to-day of a Dominion dispute covering cooks and stewards in 45 companies running small steamers in the New Zealand coastal trade. The Union asked for wages ranging from £2l monthly for cooks and stewards to £8 15/- for assistants under 17; hours of work at-sea were stated at 6.30 am. to 8 p.m., and in port between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Other proposals covered Sunday work, holidays, preference, shipwrecks, etc. The employers offered £l4 monthly to the chief stewards, ranging down to £6; hours of work at sea to be 10 per day, to be worked within 18 hours from the time s»f commencing of the individual; hours of work in port were claimed as between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Agreements were reached os a few minor clauses only, and the remainder were referred to the Arbitration Court.