WATERSIDE WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 153, 24 March 1919, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS

DEMAND FOR INCREASED PAY

DOMINION CONFERENCE PROPOSED

Recently the Waterside Workers lederation, representing waterside workers throughout the Dominion, asked for u conference with the employers on the question of wages. The federation indicated that owing to tho rising cost of living an increas) in wages was necessary. Then.- has been some exchange of communication between the federation nnd the employers, but no definite decision has yet been reached, lhe original reply of' tho employers was that the workers should make their claim through tho Arbitration Court. The federation has proposed a conference under the chnirmiuiship of the Conciliation Commissioner. The following resolution, dealing with the churn made by the waterside workers, has been adopted by the Auckland Piovhicial Employers' Association :— "Whereas this association has learned that the waterside workers of Uio Dominion have nifido it concerted demand for a revision of tho existing award rate of wages on the ground of the increased cost of living, and have demanded a conference with employers for the purpose of coming to a settlement, and whereas it is understood that the employers of such labour e.ro contemplating gianting such a conference, thoso present would most emphatically urge that, whatever the merits of the demand, the settlement should be made through the statutory channel empowered under tho special provision of the War Legislation iiml Statute Law Amendment Act, 1918, tii review an existing award on the grounds stated, and alono having access to the necessary official data as to tho cost of living, i.e., the Arbitration Court, and that a copy of this resolution ho forvaided to the Acting-Primo Minister, calling his attention to the industrial confusion and unrest which will undoubtedly follow upon any other form of settlement."