WHARF LABORERS AND STEVEDORES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 878, 30 April 1903, Page 2

WHARF LABORERS AND STEVEDORES.

Per Press Association

Napier, Tuesday. The Conciliation Board sat to-day to consider the demands filed by the Wharf Laborers and Stevedores Union against a number of employers. The union a&ked that the working hours for ail classes of labor be from 8 a.m. to 0 p.m., that tne rate for loading frozen meat from the wharves to lighters (both steam and sailing vessels) be Is 6d per hour ordinary time und 2s (id per hour overtime ; for working all cargo except frozen meat at other ports, 10s per day, and all meals and travelling expenses. The rate of wages for sailing lighters for any cargo except frozen meat to be the same as at present, the rate of wages for lightering frozen meat to be 6d per 100 frozen sheep for loading and 6d per 100 for discharging ; for sailing lighters and steam lighters carrying meat to be charged, Is 6d per hour ordinary time, and 2s (id overtime. Work done on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Sundays to be paid at the rate of double cime ; all other holidays at the rate of ordinary overtime. Men working in meal hours to be paid overtime rates, but not to be worked for more than six hours consecutively between 7 a.m. and midnight. Preference to be given to unionists. The employers filed a statement that they were quite prepared to continue the present rates of pay with conditions now in force, and to continue paying the same rates for the next two years. They considered those ! rate- were fair, and they were 20 per cent, higher than those paid in the chief ports of New Zealand, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, and Auckland. on behali of the employers, said that no distinction was made betwsen stevedores and wharf laborers. He maintained that throughout the men had the better of the bargain, and that if they continued to press their demands the employers would . have to apply to be placed on the same footing as the Wellington award. After some evidence had been heard the sitting was adjourned until to morrow.