SEAMEN’S AWARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19032, 9 June 1924, Page 11

SEAMEN’S AWARD

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 7. Written decision has been given by Mr. Cutten, S.M. in an action by the Federated Seamen’s Union against the Union Company for two breaches of clause 37 of the Seamen’s and Firemen’s Award. The breaches alleged were that defendants reduced the manning scale of two vessels without notice to the Union. The vessels had been laid up and when recommissioned were put on to classes of trade different from the previous ones. Defendants contended that they were therefore entitled to fix a new manning scale in accordance with the award without giving notice to plaintiff, although in fact the new manning scale involved a reduction by request.

A case was stated for the opinion of the Arbitration Court, which Court decided that these facts constituted a breach and the ease was referred back to the Magistrate’s Court to be dealt with-

Judgment was given for the plaintiff for a penalty of £5 in respect of each breach, with costs £2 2/- in that Court and costs £3 3/- allowed by the Arbitration Court.