THE DREDGEMEN’S DEMANDS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 August 1901, Page 4

THE DREDGEMEN’S DEMANDS.

The Tnapeka Times states that the Otago and Southland Drodgemen’s Union has issued the following communication (signed by John M’Kenzio, president, a,nd J. EL Davidson, secretary) to dredging companies:—

“Our proposals sent out to the various dredging companies of Otago and Southland, under date April 6th, 1901, having been treated in the groat majority of instances with complete indifference, and having failed to lend to an industrial agreement, as was hoped, I am instructed to state that the union has decided to refer the conditions appended below to the Conciliation Board for settlement: —

“1 Eight hours to be recognised as a shift.

“2. All work done over eight hours to count as overtime, and to be paid for at time and a-half.

“3. Minimum wage;—For open river and flat dredging in the Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell. Nevis, Ciutha, Oardrona, Shotover, Roxburgh, Miller’s Flat, Beaumont, and Waipori districts —10s per shift ; for motormen, sluicers, and road-makers in above districts (steady employment) 9s per shift, casual employment, 10s pet shift ; coalers in above districts, 10s per shift; for’ drodgemen in the Laweronce, Waitehuna, Glenorc, Gore, Mataura, Charlton Creek, Waimumu, Waikaka, Shag Diver, and Kycburn districts, 9s per shift; gorge claims (such as the Alexan-dra-Koxburgb, Cl.y de-Cromwell, and Kawarau Gorges), 12s per shift. “ 4. All shifts to go round so that every man gets his fair turn of day shift—viz., every third week while dredging. If employers feel disposed to break this principle of simple justice, and require dredgemen to work always on the 4 to 12 and 12 to 8 shift’s, such work to be paid for at not less than 2s per shift over ordinary rales.

“5. Cadets: All cadets to be paid half wages while cadeting. No cadet to work a shift unless he be paid full wages. “6. Wages to be paid at not greater intervals than once per month. “7. Holidays.—Eight days’ holiday on full pay is asked for at Christmas, from Christmas Day to New Tear’s Day inclusive, or double rates for working on any of the following holidays: News Year’s Day, January 2, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 24, King’s Birthday, Labour Day, and Christmas Day. “8. Sunday work to be paid for at double rates,

“9. Unionists to have preference of employment.”