Watersiders Refuse Work on Port Napier

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 458, 13 September 1928, Page 1

Watersiders Refuse Work on Port Napier

OFFER OF “DIRT MONEY” SALVAGE RATES DEMANDED The troubles of the Port Napier are not yet at an end. At noon yesterday the watersiders refused work on No. 4 hold, stating that it was a'salvage job and they required salvage pay. The question was referred to the Disputes Committee, the outcome being an agreement to pay the men an extra ninepence an hour “dirt money” in the shelter deck of No. 4 and threepenqp an hour extra in the ’tween deck before it was opened up. The offer was refused and the men ceased work, though the shore gang reported for duty after lunch. It is stated that the watersiders have been looking forward to the arrival of the Port Napier, and have let other work pass to enable them to earn big money on what they considered to be salvage work. Pay for salvage work is 7s 6d an hour, over three times the ordinary rate of pay. Against this it is maintained that this is not salvage work, the heavilydamaged cargo having all been removed at Suva after the fire was put out at Pago Pago. After the offer of “dirt money” yesterday, the men demanded Is an hour extra all over and walked off when their demand was refused. The men state that it is not true that all the damaged cargo was removed at Suva, alleging that there is a great quantity still on the ship. “We have risked our lives before on such jobs, and we are entitled to big money,” said one watersider. In the agreement governing the men’s work it is stated that the ship should first be worked, and at the conclusion of the job the Disputes Committee should fix “dirt money” to be paid. Union officials are reticent and when approached refused to give any information, stating that the Disputes Committee was still sitting and no agreement was yet in sight. - The committee will sit all to-day and probably tomorrow morning. The other hatches on the vessel are being worked, but No. 4 is idle. It is stated that the increase of wages would not fall on the shipping company but on the underwriters.