AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 10, 7 October 1919, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING STRIKE

TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT INCREASED WAGES AND BETTER QUARTERS The agreement arrived- at betweon shipowners, representing 95 per cent, of tho tonnage, and-tho Australian Seamen's Union, provides that in the case of those steamers whore 'accommodation has not been made in accordance with the requirements of tho Navigation Act, and which are at present not satisfactory to tho men, fiie shipowners will appoint a representative jointly with a representative of the Seamen's Union to inspect each 6teamer, and they will, as far as reasonably .practicable, endeavour to meet the wishes 'of the men within the provisions of the Act, and within a reasonable • time.

Where the representative of tho Seamen's Union is not'satisfied with the proposals .of the shipowners! it is pro-, posed that an arbitrator—a .practical man ■—be appointed to finally discuss the proposed alterations. It i? 'understood that .in. these .'alterations, due regard is to be had to the question of whether structural alteration, involving heavy expenditure, ■Stioulu, or should not,.be undertaken. . The shipowners will provide each seaman with-ii mattress, .pillow, and two blankets, but no sheets, and they suggest that a of the Seamen's TJnion.-and a represeiita'tive of the shipowners should discuss the question of how, and under what conditions as to reasonable pro ; ervation and tare and re-' turn this beddin,? should ,be issued. In order to meet in'an enultable manner the demand for time off in .port, the shipowiTßrs agree that every seaman shall be'.allowed-, to be absent from hin ship in his home'port for a,time equivalent to four hours for each week ,he has been employed, this time not to be giveii. at the ' beginning Or ,end of, but during tho working day, 1 a.m. to 5 p.m., or-to be. Jald for on the basis of half a day's sea pay for every four hours not allowed off. The ■hours off'imajr be allowed. to" accumulate, and be given in whole days or part dayfi in tho homo port.

. The request for insurance was not approved, but,'in addition to their responsibility under existing legislation in tho form of the Seamen's. Compensation. Act, the shipowners accept the responsibility of . the return of a sick, seaman-to-his. home "port," paying his wages till his return', subject to the following:— ,- ; (a) In the. event of a seaman being landed ,at:.any port sick and unfit for. duty,; Traces to •he -paid from tho date when he is put ashore nnti'l the seaman, returns to his home port., . (b) Payment wider tho- above clause is .subject, ,'to-the following conditions:— ; Wog'es shall:'riot be paid for a passage panted to the home port of any -seaman ' if,"after TPcovery, a position is offered to the seaman similar.to* 1 the one lie held previously oil a vessel proceeding to his home port and at. a. similar rate of pay, provided the seaman has the Tight to sifin off "such vessel; on ■ arrival at his home port, (c).No payment of wages during sickiies'3 will be. granted unless same is contracted while in'the service of the ship ,nn<l is not. cause<l : by the seaman's own wi'.ful act or default.

"The rates of wages and overtime shatl be as under:—

(a) Working cargo in seaman's ordinary hours of labour.—While any -seaman is working coal : or cargo during his .eiglit hours of labour he. should receive swjh sum' as'will represent, the difference be-' -tween his sea day's, pay plus .the .value of .victualling: (2s'. 2d.) and the ordinary day rate'of'pay paid to wharf labourers ill the port in which the work is done. (b) Overtime.—A flat rate of 2s. Gd. per hour shall be:paid for nil overtime for a'".! work done.

. (c) Wages.—'Wages to be increased by 3"is. per calendar .month .over the rate as per tli'e award a.:id agreements of De- \ cember 20. 1918.

.AIT o.tlier conditions of employment to be in terms and conditions of the award an' l ' agreements, of December 20, 1918. The agreement is to be .retrospective to tho-date .the seamen signed on their present articles'in'Au»u?t la?t. and is to remain in force until' December 20, 1921,