WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10346, 29 December 1911, Page 1

WORK AND WAGES.

WELLINGTON WATERSIDE WORKERS. [Peu Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 28. The demands made by the Waterside Workers' Union en the owners of the harbour ferry steamers on bohalf of the dock hands employed on those steamers have not been met, and there is a possibility that the steamers will not run on New Year's Day. The chairman of the company states that he is quite prepared to meet the men themselves, but not the representatives of the Waterside Workers' Union. In any case, he could not deal with the matter belore January 1. A DIFFICULTY AT PORT CHALMERS. [Pkr Press Association.] DUN ED IX, December 28. The Koonya was docucd at Port Chalmers yesterday for overhaul, but when the shore engineers were being mustered to work on board it transpired that they had a grievance, and declined to work unless they received an advance of Is per day. The dispute reached an acute stage to-day. and work on tho vessel was practically suspended. About twenty engineers are affected. They are casual employees subject to irregular spellß of employHitherto tho rates of pay have been 10s and lis, and m some cases 12s per day, hut the men now demand a minimum of lis per day and time and a half for overtime all round except present Sunday and holiday rate. The wages claimed are said to be those ruling in Wellington. Having failed on a previous occasion to get what they wanted through the Arbitration Court owing to the Union Steam Ship Company getting exemption from the award, the men withdrew from registration under the Arbitration Act and formed a union amongst themselves. So far work on the vessel has been done by the engine-room staff, with assistance from one of tho repair shops on shore, but it is just possible that the men from the repair shon will withdraw out of sympathy with the strikers. At present there are no signs of a settlement.