GISBORNE WHARF LABORERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1006, 26 September 1903, Page 4

GISBORNE WHARF LABORERS.

STATEMENT OR DEMANDS,

Through the courtesy of Mr H. McKay, Gisborne agent of the Government Labor Bureau, wo have been furnished with a copy of the demands of the Gisborno Wharf Laborers,’ Lightermen’s and Stevedores’ Industrial Union of Workers, a copy of which has been served upon the following employers: E. C. Cramond, agent Union Steam Ship Co., of Now Zealand ; G. E. Eliott, manager for Dalgety and Co., agents for Huddart, Parker Proprietary Limited and White Star Line; A. F. Kennedy, manager for Messrs "Vvilliams and Kettle, Limited, and agents Tyser Steam Ship Line, and South African Steam Shipping Co.; W. B. Common, manager for Common, Shelton and Co-, Ltd., and agents for Shaw-Savill and. Albion Steam Shipping Co.; Alfred Dewing, manager for Nelson Bros., Ltd.; W. P. Cederwall, manager for the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Co., Ltd.; Messrs Kennedy and Evans ; J. W. Bright, manager of tho N.Z, Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.; Dalgety and Co., Ltd.; Common, Shelton and Co., Ltd.; Williams and Kettle, Ltd. ; (all of Gisborne), employers ; and Richardson and Co ; John Fenwick and Co.; Mrs Edmund Smith ; and Messrs Maiden and Bennett, (of Napier), Employers. HOURS OF LABOR.

1. For all classes of labor the ordinary working hours to be from S a.m. to 5 p.m. (exclusive of meal hour between 12 noon and 1.15 p.mO All other time to be classed as overtime. RATES OF WAGES (General). 2. For general wharf and stevedores’ labor at the breakwater, Gisborne wharves, wharf sheds, both for steamers and sailing vessels, the rate of wages to be Is 3d per hour for ordinary time, and 2s Gd for overtime. In the roadstead the rate to be Is Gd per hour for ordinary time, and 2s 6d per hour for overtime. The rate for coal to be Is 6d per hour ordinary time, and 2s Gd for ovortime, both for wharf and roadstead. 3. The rate of wages for lighters, with any cargo except frozen meat, to be same as above rates. FROZEN MEAT.

4. That the rate of wages for stevedores working frozen meat for the Gisborne roadstead be as follows for lightersHaku, mutton 2 hours at 2s 6d, beef and pieces 2£ hours at 2s 6d ; Inanga, 2 at 2s Gd, 21- at 2s 6d; Patiki, 2 at (2s 6d, 2»- at 2s Gd ; Titi, 3at 2s Gd, 3J-at 2s Gd; Tawera, 2 as 2s 6d, 21 at 2s Gd ; Karoro, 2 at 2s Gd, 21 at 2s Gd; Templar, 11 at 2s Gd, 2 at 2s Gd; Venus, li at 2s Gd, 1£ at 2s Gd. In the event of taking off

hatches or rigging gear,(one hour to he allowed per day. Dock loads to be paid extra at the rate of 2s Gd per hour. All necessary meals aboard to

be supplied by the employer.. All travelling expenses from tbo time of leaving Gisborne till arrival on board vessel, and vice-versa, to be paid by the employer. 5. That tbo rate of wages for loading and discharging , lighters with frozen moat, be Gd per 100 freight sheep for loading, and 6d per hundred for discharging, with the exception of deck hands ; the rate in this case to be Is Gd per hour for ordinary timo, and 2s 6d for ovortimo. Substantial meals to be supplied by employer to those discharging lighters; time to count right through exclusive of meal times. GENERAL. G. Working in Gisborne roadstead, timo to be from time of leaving tbo wharf till time of leaving the vessel for shore, exclusive of meal hours. The minimum pay for any one day to be not less than six shillings. 7. Men ordered down to work on wharves or in the roadstead, and; not required from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to bo paid at tho rate of Is per hour, and from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., Is 3d per hour. Men so ordered to receive the minimum of one hour's pay. 8. The following days can be recognised as holidays : —New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day, Sovereign’s Birthday, People’s Show Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. All work done on Sundays and above-named holidays to be paid at the rate of ordinary overtime, viz., 2s Gd, per hour, and for frozen meat at the rate of double time. 9. Meal hours to be:—Breakfast, between 7 and 9 a.m.; Dinner, 12 noon to 1.15 p.m.; tea, 5 p.m, to G p.m.; supper, one hour between 11 p.m. and

1 a.m., according to circumstances, Men employed from midnight to 7 a.m. (to receive half-an-hour for refreshments ; for such half-hour no payment shall bo made. Men shall work during meal hours if required to do so, and shall be paid overtime rates, but they are not’to be worked more than six hour 3 consecutively between tho hours of 7 a.m. and midnight. 10. All labor to bo engaged at some place to be determined mutually from time to time by the secretary to the Union and the employers concerned. Any men required to work overtime to be engaged during the ordinary working hours. When the arrival of a boat is uncertain, a notice to be posted by tbo employers on a notice board at the wharf-shed not later than a p.m. on the daj’ previous to the expected arrival of the boat, confirming previous arrangements, or notifying any alteration therewith. 11. The working gangs below in the roadstead shall consist of not less than five men for wool; eight men for frozen meat; three men for general cargo ; and four men for tallow, if the men are available. , 12. That the maximum weight on a truck for one man bo six cwt. (Three other clauses provide for preference to Union men).