SHIPS' OFFICERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 31 May 1912, Page 3

SHIPS' OFFICERS.

CERTAIN POINTS STILL IN DISPUTE. lJccently the Conciliation Council made certain recommendations in reference to tho dispute, between the Merchant Service Guild of Australasia (New Zealand Sec-, tion) and the Union Steam Ship Company, and other employers. Tho Merchant Service Guild has now lodged with the Clerk of Awards an objection to these recommendations, in so far as they concern officers, and the dispute will'now be referred to the Court of Arbitration.

Tho guild submits that Clause -I should read: '"i'he hours of duty for officers at sea and in port shall bo eight per day (exclusive of meal hours) to be worked as mav be required by employers; any hours "in excess of eight per day shall be lodged to the credit of the officer, and his annual leave of absence on full payshall be increased by ono day for every eight hours of tho time so placed to his credit during the previous 12 months; or at the option of the officer such time worked in excess of eight hours shall be paid for as overtime at the rate of 2s. Gd. per hour; exclusive of the eight hours, and without any credit for such excess limn or payment of overtime, all officers shall (a) give the necessary time on deck entering and leaving port to the satisfaction of and at the discretion of tjie master, (b) attend when required any boat drill, fire drill, or medical inspection; (c) do any -work necessary for tho safety of the ship." It, is also asked that Clause S shall provide: "That overtime rate shall lie paid io an officer if he should ho compelled to remain on bean! at his home port at a time when under tho agreement lie would be entitled to be away from his vessel; that, overtime shall be paid for work (other than sea watches or entering and leaving port), done ou Sundays or public holidays." Further, it is asked that Clause 7 shall read: "The home poTt of each officer shall be nominated by the officer, when he signs articles, without reference to his employers."