N.Z. Watersiders Ask for Pay Increase

Grey River Argus, 13 April 1948, Page 7

N.Z. Watersiders Ask for Pay Increase

The New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union is nutting new claims to the Waterfront Industry Commission this week. Among major claims raised by the union are' those for: — (1) An increase in the guaranteed weekly wage. (2) The exclusion of '■ overtime earnings from the computation of amounts payable under the guaranteed weekly wage system. (3) An increase in the amount payable as meal money. The waterside union was on guaranteed minimum weekly wage of £5 early last year, and now asks that the amount of the guarantee be increased. The exact amount which the union will claim has not been settled. The second claim is for the exclusion, for guaranteed wage purposes, of all earnings won outside the 40-hour week. The present rate for meal money is 2s. A claim for an increase of 6d or Is above this figure is expected. These are among the principal claims on the union’s immediate list. The union has also standing a claim for improved wharf amenities, the satisfaction of which has been promised largely already.