WATERSIDE WAGES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 133, 6 May 1940, Page 2

WATERSIDE WAGES.

WEEK-END WORK. FIXED AT 8s 6d AN HOUR. NAPIER, May 4. By the terms of an order issued by the Waterfront Control Commission, watersiders are to receive 8s 6d an hour for loading meat after 6. o’clock on Saturday and throughout Sunday. The wee K-end overtime rate for general cargo is to be 8s an hour. The award under which the watersiders have been working has been _ suspended and its place taken by this order of the commission. It is learned that tlic Waterfront Commission has issued /this new order for the purpose of ensuring continuous loading of overseas vessels carrying foodstuffs to the :'.United Kingdom. 'Work on the waterfront will, therefore, bo maintained on seven days a week whenever sljips have; to be loaded. Disputes over, tne rates-of ppy and conditions haVe in; the past' frequently held up work over tlic week-end. The commission expects that the new order will put an end to thege interruptions. The basic hourly rate for waterside workers provided for ini the award now suspended was 2s Bd, with increases for the loading of various types of cargoes. Hie' award overtime rate varied considerably* according "to the hours worked, 6s 4d being the old rate for Saturday overtime. Recently in Napier holiday loading was carried on at a much higher and specially-arranged rate. .'■■■■■ . The new order conies into force immediately and this week-end all ports will hfe carrying on loading operations.- It is estimated that up to 100 men will be engaged at Napier. iThe ” aterfront Commission was set up by the Government with authority to enforce conditions that would ensure speedy loading of ships carrying supplies to the United Kingdom and with powers to. deal with circumstances that '•I 1 ?!'! hamper the expeditious despatch of ships.