AUSTRALIAN SECRETARY CLAIMS BIGGER BONUS

Chronicle (Levin), 19 February 1947, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN SECRETARY CLAIMS BIGGER BONUS

WELLINGTON, Feb. 18. The striking seamen of the Wangaiella are six A.B's and three motormen. When tlre rest of the crew \Vas paid off last Friday and sent to Ayistralia on the Wahine, these nine men volunteered to remain belrind and work tlre ship. Orr the same day ATr. E. V. Elliott, Federal secretary of the Segnten's Union of Australia arrived in New Zealand. "I came over from Australia to get some compensation for the wonderful job everyone agrees tlrgt these men "lrave done," said Mr. Elliott. "When the cooks and stewards struck and would not return to work on the s]rip, they were given 5s per worlcing hour above their pay. The tugboat men were given 7s 6d per working hour above their pay and the watersiders were given 17s 671 per hour for working in the holds after the seameii had prepared them. The only coueession these men have gained so far is the 5s per working hour above their pay tliat was given to the stewards, I

contend the sailors- are entitled to a speeial rate Jor the 24 hours a day that they were on the ship, based oli the adjustment made to the tugme'n 's claim and wharfi.es.' claim. "These seamen djd not take any dir'ect action or hold up the work in any way but have done all they could to lielp in salvaging the vessel. They have been working in constant danger aud even sleeping v\Tith their clothes and Jifebejts £> n while the ship wap on the reef in case she went down. They were on a 24-hour duty at a minuto 's call up and all they are given is 5s per working hour." One of the seamen said that when they refused to liandle the mooring lines, Captain Darroch said they coujd paek their bags und go ashore. It meant th&t they were literally stranded, Cuptgin AIcDonald sftid: "I gave the sajlors a eoncespion of 5s "peI working hour above tlieir pay and when the rest of the crew were paid off la.st Friday. they received this asi from Jauiiary 28. They seemed satislied. Now Mr. Elliott wants some other concessions, l don't know what they are but any}iow the job is settled. '