SEAMEN'S STRIKE.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 190, 3 February 1877, Page 2

SEAMEN'S STRIKE.

[from THE AUSTRALASIAN’.] Thk seamen belonging- to tho s s. Otway ami the s.s. Julia Percy are just now on strike, and consequently not only has the departure of those vessels for the Western ports been postponed, but a considerable amount of excitement has been evinced by the seamen of the port and those who congregate about the wharves. It appears that hitherto the seamen in these steamers, as in others engaged in tho coasting trade, have been in receipt of £(> per month, the hours of labour, according to the articles, being from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m. It lias, however, frequently been the case that the steamers have arrived at some of the out ports either before or after the hours named, and their services were required to discharge or receive cargo. For this over-lime, as they call it, they desire to be paid at the rale of Js. per hour, and their demands not having been aceecded to, the men belonging to the Otway declined to sign fresh articles on Saturday, and their example was followed on Monday by the men of the s.s. Julia Percy. They contend that as other firms in the coasting trade allow a certain amount for working overtime, they arc entitled to a similar allowance. As they are backed np by the Seamen’s Union and the men in the port, it appears likely that the owners of the steamers will have to accede to their request. Yesterday afternoon £7 per month was offered without any allowance for overtime, but the offer was refused, as the men state that they have no desire to raise the wages in the port, but merely to get paid for the hours they work over the time fixed by the articles.