MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2604, 28 October 1915, Page 6

MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD

SOME DISCONTENTED MEMBERS,

For some.considerable time past there lias been a certain amount of discontent amongst members of tie Merchant Service Guild, who are officers on the Union Company's steamers. On April 30 the award fixing the industrial couditions as between the guild end the Union Company expired. An endeavour has been made to obtain a new agreement, but so far without success, Officers and masters in the employ of the company have, it is alleged, come to tha conclusion that the time has arrived for a revision in their favour in the scale of pay. It is pointed out that navigating officers are the only nen on the vessels whose services have not been recognised by substantial additional remuneration. Engineers,' <seamen, and firemen have all been grauttd increases, and officers on the smaller vessels off the New Zealand coast , arc reported to be on a much better footing than their fellow members of the guild who are in tho Union Company's employ. It ie held that in comparison with tho present English rates of pay the New Zealand rates are not generous. In the past New Zealand was ahead of England, but the Homo Country lias _ how come lip to and passed the Dominion scale of pay. Taking into consideration the difference in the cost of l'ving. in tho two countries, this state of affairs, it is held, should not be. Seeing how loyal masters and officers of tho Union Company, who are members of the guild, have been in the past, it is considered that some recognition should be given them for their services. Captain M'lndoe, the new secretary of the guild, will go south by to-night's steamer for the purpose of interviewing the head'officials of the Union Company on the matter.