HIGHER WAGES CLAIMED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 584, 9 February 1929, Page 6

HIGHER WAGES CLAIMED

COOKS AND STEWARDS COURT HEARS APPLICATION Press Association WELLINGTON, Friday. The hearing was commenced at the Arbitration Court to-day of a dispute between the Federated Cooks and Stewards of New Zealand Industrial Association of Workers and the Union Steam Ship Company and others. Mr. F. Kennedy appeared for applicants and Mr. W. G. Smith for respondents. The classification of workers has been agreed to at a sitting of the Conciliation Council, leaving the rates of pay unsettled. An alteration is sought in the classification of asssitant stewards of cargo vessels, whose wages it is asked shall be the same as that of first grade stewards. The applicants ask that cadets be paid on the following monthly basis: 17 years, £8 5s (present wage £5 7s 6d) ; 17 to 19 years, £9 15s ( £7 17s 6d); 19 to 21 years, £lO 15s ( £ 9 2s 6d)3. Chief among the other claims is an eight-hour day, an increase to 2s 3d an hour for casual work on shore, the granting of Anniversary Day as a holiday, a maximum payment of 5s an hour for work on Sundays and holidays, a day off on shore for stewards for each Sunday at sea, and a weekly half-holiday. The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow. An interpretation of the award as affecting the same parties was asked for. Applicants said that on December 23 last the steamers Maori and Wahine, in accordance with the usual practice during the holiday period, ran daylight trips and it was asked if such trips came within the clause of the award providing for Sunday rates of pay. Mr. Smith, for respondent, pointed out that the trips were regular ones, but December 23 last fell on a Sunday. The court reserved its decision.