THE WATERFRONT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11670, 10 April 1916, Page 6

THE WATERFRONT.

STOP-WORK MEETING. EQUAL PAY DEMANDS, As the result of the action of the Lyttelton Wharf Labourers' Umou in turning down the recent proposed agreement, matters on. the wateriront at Lytteltou are somewhat complicated, particularly so on account oi tho waterside workers in other centres receiving about threepence an hour more for ordinary time worked than tho Jiieu at Lvttolton. The members of the Lvtto'lton Cuion are unanimous in their attitude, that, ordinary work on the waterfront should cense at 10 p.m. d'ailv, )>ut. in: tho ease of a vessel making' hor departure that night, wonc should continue until midnight. ■ 1 lie employers contend that labour should be available at all hours, .and it was on this understanding that several unions recently obtained an ineren.se in wages, varying from threepence to seven pence per" hour. It is nointed out. however, that tho latter clause is practically an obligatory one, and the members ol tluj Lvttolton Union remark that thoy are honest enough to say that they will not work after midnight, in preference to acceding to tho proposal and ignoring it afterwards. With the idea of arriving at some amicable and more equitable state of affairs on: the waterfront a deputation of the Lvttolton Wharf Labourer* Union wa'ited on. the employers on Mjirch 30. The conference was private, but Mr W. Agar, secretary of the Lvtielto/i Union, stated' to a ''Star reporter this morning that the deputation had made it clear to the emplovers that tho men were, not prepared to work after midnight unoer iiiw consideration, but in view of the fact that there was an increase in tho cost of living as in any other port, and further, that the shipping companies received equal return for their labour, the Lvttelton Union saw no reason why they 'were not entitled to the same wages as paid elsewhere. In the event of non-compliance latter request, members contended that the employers should- have no real cause for complaint if the men rendered service in conformity with the wages paid. The emnloycrs, however, argued that they would only grant an increase if overtime was worked as required. Further information on the matter was brought forward on receipt of the following letter from the cmplovers : , ~ „ Christ church, April b. Secretary. Lvttolton Wharf Labourers'

Union, Lvttelton. Do'tf Sir.—Our en mm it too has discussed tho 'matters put before us by the deputation from your union whiciv reoentlv waited upon us, and I am msfcructfd to inform you that, having made full inquiries at the various ports at -which, the unions are working under tho agreement recently made in "Wellington, we learn that, exeept in a few. isolated cas?s. which -are capable or explanation, tho agreement is boing faithfully carried out. We are still prepared to grant your union "the samp increase* of pay as previously offered von. on coidition that the members agree to work overtime as required. (Signed) A. W. BENNETT, . Chairman of Committee. To-day. continued Mr Agar, members held a stop work meeting from 9 a.m. to 11.1>") a.m.. to consider the points mentioned in the letter, but members unanimously deckledvfrot to depart from their original contention that work should cease at midnight. And what is the present position? asked the renorter. "Members." replied Mr Agar, "will continue to carry on as previously until the expiration of the terms of the existing award, in June next. It is then proposed to go to the Arbitration Court for a new" award, seeking, of course, an increase in wages, and, •wc hope, at tho same timo of having tiro latter conceded without being compelled to work day and night. Wc are satisfied that the Court would not- think of compelling men to work after midnight."