WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10304, 8 November 1911, Page 1

WORK AND WAGES.

THE BRITISH RAILWAYMEN. A STRIKE FEARED. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, November 7. Several newspapers fear a renewal of the railway strike at Christmas, possibly in combination with the miners. The railwaymen at Llanelly, who hold the key to South Wales, rejected a motion to strike, and substituted one condemnatory of the Executive for not declaring a national strike and permitting Government intervention. Thev deprecated the present ballot, as implying a lack of confidence between the leaders and the men. They also authorised the Stiiko Committee to immediately organise a strike. The railway companies are conferring, with a view to united action in the event of the ballot resulting in a strike. The measures include the enrolment of a large number of special constables and uniformed railway police, to protect workers from aggressive picketing. SYDNEY WHARF LABOURERS. Sydney, November 7. Work on the wharves is proceeding merrily. Every effort is being made to overtake the congestion. i AUCKLAND TRAMWAY MEN. [Per Press AUCKLAND, November 7. The Auckland Tramways Union today submitted to tho manager of the Tramway Company new demands in the direction of amended working conditions. The first part of tho schedule submitted by the Union provides for an all-round increase in wages amounting to 1-Jd per hour. Motormen, it is proposed, should receive Is 2d per hour during their first year's Bervioe and Is 3d per hour after one year's service, instead of la 1-id as at present. Conductors (electric or steam) are demanding Is per hour for the first six months' service, Is id for the second six months, and Is 2d after a year's service. Other demands in the .traffic department work out on the same scale. Eight hours constitute a stipulated day's work, and it is asked that every employee mentioned in the schedule shall bo guaranteed a week's work of. forty-eight hours, exclusive of Sundays. All time worked beyond eight hours per day shall be paid i'or at time and a half rates'. Sunday work is also to bo paid for at time and a half rates. If the Union's demands are agreed to by tho company conductors' " shortages" and " overs" are to be kept on record and posted up in the depot within twenty-four hours. Thoy shall be balanced on every pay-day and any difference paid by or to the conductor. A big alteration is demanded in connection with holidays. A fortnight's holiday on full pay is demanded for all men who have been twelve months in tho service. At present the employees get eight davs on half-pay. Double time rates are also asked for work dona on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Good- Friday and Labour Day. An absolute preference clause is asked for. The term of the agreement is fixed for twelve-months.

COASTAL OFFICERS' DISPUTE. DEADLOCK ENDED. [Feb Press WELLINGTON, November 7. The deadlock in tho coastal officers' dispute has ended and the men are rejoining their boats. Several points have been left for adjustment between the men and the individual owners. The Shipowners' Federation has agreed to the reinstatement of all the men. _ It was with a great deal of satisfaction the business community heard .today that tho coastal officers' dispute has ended and the whole of the men concerned returned to work this afternoon. Most of the small steamers are loading for various destinations and the rest will follow suit almost immediately. Owing to accumulation of cargo, particularly transhipments, during the last few weeks all the boats should be very busy for some time to come. Four officers representing the mates met five shipowners representing the Federation and discussed the situation. It was agreed that tho "emergency" clause, which had been the subject of much discussion, should be given threo months' trial, officers having tho right to appeal to owners if in their judgment the clause is abused. The question of Sundays and holidays (according to the seamen's agreement) was left to be dealt with by individual owners and officers, according to the circumstances of tho case. The Federation undertook to reinstate all officers who were in their employ before tho trouble arose.

The announcement that the dispute between- tho Merchant Service Guild and the Owners' Federation had been settled was received with satisfaction in shipping circles at Lyttelton yesterday, more so in view of the fact that the conference between the shipping companies and Seamen and Firemen's Union will take place in Wellington to-day. Although no official announcement has been made regarding the rate of pay agreed upon, it is understood that first mates will receive £l6 per month and second mates £l3. as against £ls and £l2, the Arbitration Court award. A few minor points are to.be settled later. Tho recommissioning of the small steamers will not affect Lyttelton very much, as only three vessels have been laid up, but in Wellington the position will be more pronounced. Yesterday afternoon tho Holindalo signed on new articles and left at 5.30 p.m. for Greymouth to load for Gisborne or Lyttelton. She will be followed to-day by the Canterbury Steam Shin Company's Breeze, but the Storm, which has been undergoing repairs, will probably be docked before proceeding to sea. The agents of the Wakatu received word yesterday that the vessel is to leave Wellington today for Kaikoura and Lyttelton.