WATERSIDE DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 149, 19 March 1920, Page 8

WATERSIDE DISPUTE

A SETTLEMENT REACHED TERMS REFERRED TO THE UNIONS ?ho conference between employers

Tho conference between employers of .waterside labour- and the representatives of the Federated Waterside Unions concluded yesterday after sitting for about, a fortnight, ~:.,. An official report issued last, night stores' that a settlement was arrived at subject to ratification- by tho various unions and employers concerned. Tho agreement provides for an increase in wages based upon tho increase in the cost of living -s'ncß tho last agreement was made,'but further information on this point is not available pending the confirmation of the agreement/ The conference extended over a fortnight, and was presided over bj Mr. J. G. Darkness, chairman of tho, Wellington Harbour Board. At the conclusion of the conference a hearty vote of thanks to;-Mr. Hnrkness was proposed i nd carried by acclamation, , The agreement under wKich the waterside unions are now working was [intended dn June, of last year,, after the'men had demanded increased pay m consideration of the rising cost of living. The employers' offer on that occasion; after some negotiations,-was an .increase of 2d. per hour ordinary time and 3d. per hour overtime. , The men accepted this offer, which made tho rates of pay as follow:— „ , -, Ordinary time; Cargo 2s. an hour, coal 2s. Id. nor hour. Overtime: Cavgo, 2s. lid. an hour; coal, 3s. an hour. , The index numbers compiled by the Government Statistician show that the advance in the cost ,of food, fuel, and lWit, from June, 1919. to January, 1920, was 133 points, or 8.6 pev cent. These figures, however, do' not: include rent or clothing. An advance of 2d. per hour ordinary time would approximately adjust tho watersido wages to present prices on .the basis of the Government Statis-tician's-figureß. .