WAGE INCREASE CLAIMED

Chronicle (Levin), 9 June 1948, Page 5

WAGE INCREASE CLAIMED

Press Association )

Watersiders Want Talks With Government

(Per

WELLINGTON, June 9. Meijibers of tfie nationpi exeeutiiYe pf tfie New Zealand Waterside Workers* Unlop met today in Wellington for ' a special meeting officially described as- a prelude to possible "posers, penalties and profits"' discussions witfi the Government and Waterfront Industry Commission. The national s-ecretary of the union, Mr. T. Hill, commented he-r fore the meeting that the. comjnission's failure to bring down decisions connected with the wage Increase elaim submitted by the union to it two months agb- had caused dissatisfaction. " throughout ;he industry. ° The union considered that the fundamental issue before every i worker was the amount of real wages earned by him, and Mr. HUI said it did not require an oracle to; inake out a justifiable case for gufficient net wages to all workers after profits, prices and penalties were fully examined. Mr. Hill said that the union hoped ' the Government would enable full discussion of the claims. -The claim will involve at least 1# an hour increase in wages. It will oe based on reduction of the marwin between the basic wage rates jf New Zealand watersiders, who receive 3s 8d an hour, and of Aiis - bralians, whose rate was raised 14 days ago to 4s 9d an hour.