COOK AND STEWARDS AWARD

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1931, Page 6

COOK AND STEWARDS AWARD

APPLICATION IN , COURT

WAGE' INCREASES OPPOSED

i By Telegraph —Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 29

The application of the New Zealand Federated Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union (Stewards’ Section) for a new award came before the Conciliation Council in August, when a number of clauses were agreed upon, hut about twenty remained in dispute, mainly concerning wages, holidays, overtime, special rates and allowances. These were brought before the Arbitration Court to-day.

The Union claimed increases in wages ranging from 15s to £2 Is a month, and sought to place'the officers’ steward in the first grade classification. It was claimed that the lowest-paid worker in the stewards’ department should receive £l4 15s a month, an increase of £1 Us.

Counsel for the shipping companies claimed that substantial reduction in wages was justified owing to the fall in the cost of living. He said that in the twelve months prior to Januaiy, 1930. there had been a substantial fall-ing-off in the shipping trade, both passenger and cargo. Since then the fall had been more marked. In the three months ended June 30, 1931, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year,- the falling-off in the passenger trade was as follows: Wellington-Lyttelton. ferry service. 22.8 per cent. Wellington-Picton service, 2d.9 per cent.

New Zealand-Australian service, 33.2 per cent. San Francisco. Vancouver and island trade. 51.02 per cent.

Tn the cargo trade, comparing the six months ended March 31. 1931, with the corresponding period of last veai. the falling-off of imports was 18.3 per cent., in exports 21.1 per cent., and in the carriage of coal 18.3 per cent.

COOKS AND STEWARDS

SEEK INCREASED WAGES

WELLINGTON. September 3t>.

Another aspect of the industrial dispute between the Federated Cooks and Stewards Association, of New Zealand and the Union Steamship Company and other employers, was heard in the Arbitration ’ Court to-day. when application was made for n new award governing the galley staffs. The men applied for an increase of £2 Is per mouth for all ratings, except third cooks and butchers. The increase sought for the butchers was £4 lls per month, and £2 11s per month, both for second butchers and extra third teoks. The case is proceeding. Regarding the Cooks and Galley Stewards new award application, the decision of the Court will he announced later.