THE DREDGEMEN'S AWARD.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 422, 26 May 1904, Page 5

THE DREDGEMEN'S AWARD.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sir, —As much uneasiness and uncertainty exists respecting the scope of the above, could you kindly tell us

through the medium of your paper Whether engineers come under the inftuence of the award f Many engineers •£ are working under agreements entitling them to full pay whether dredging or Hot, but receiving no pay for overtime. Seeing engineers do not only not belong to the Dredgemen's Union, but fought tooth and nail against it, it seems incredible, and unjust, that they should be entangled in the provisions of the award. —I am, etc.,

ENGINEER. [We have referred the above letter to Mr J. H, Davidson, secretary of the Dredgemen's Union, who replies as follows :—" Your correspondent should consult a solicitor. Justice Cooper, however, says the award applies to engineer!!, winchmen, and firemen. That apparently, is conclusive. So that ft is fairly safe to say engineers are absolutely bound by the terms of the award. If that is so, palpably the • agreement' disappears. Neither Owners nor engineers can claim and succeed fender an agreement over-riding the sward. If the agreement is illegal, it

•eems to me, the claim oannot be valid. If, as your correspondent says, 'it is •a vnjust for engineers to be entangled wi* In the award, permit me to point out, that engineers and owners (at the hear* ing) combined to force the entangle* meet on themselves. Further, if lam exy judge of the situation, the entanglement will continue as long as our eiaim for all Dredgemen to get their fair turn at davshift is resisted"

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