COOKS AND STEWARDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1920, Page 5

COOKS AND STEWARDS.

QUESTION OF INCREASED COST OF [ LIVING. ! COURT'S OBSERVATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Arbitration Court has made its award in reference to the application of marine cooks and stewards for a bonus of £a per month. The Court has decided upon a bonus of 10s per month for all workers other than cadets and assistants, who are to receive 3b Ud per month. Orders have been made accordingly amending the awards with the Union Steamship Company and coastal shipping companies, and an industrial agreement covering galley staffs. In a memorandum attached to the orders, the Court states: "Considering the special character of employment in which workers covered by this award are engaged, and of substantial increases in wages which have from • time to time been granted, either by agreement of parties or bj awards of the Court, increases which have, fully compensated workers for increased cost of living since the outbreak of war The majority of the Court had considerable doubt as to whether they ought not dismiss the present application. They have, however, decided to grant a bonus of 109 per month to workers other than cadeta, to whom a sum of 30s fid per month has been granted, and the above order has been made to amend the award accordingly. It is not quite equivalent to the recent bonuses of 3s per week granted to workers in industries properly so called. The majority of the Court are of opinion that inasmuch as workers are supplied with food 1 and accommodation by employers it is manifestly inequitable that the latter should be compelled to pay the full bonus representing the increased cost of living to workers when part of that increase by the nature of the ''employment already falls on them. The Court has not always recognised this principle in dealing with bonus applications in cases where workers are supplied with board and lodging by their employers, as for example hotel workers, but the question is open for consideration in .any future case."

Mr. McCullouglv dissents from this decision in that he thinks that the full amount ot tha recent bonus should have been allowed. Last week the cooks and stewards were inclined {oTiake drastic action to enforce the demand of £2 per month, but declared a truce until after the holidays.

The seamen, who are also demanding a bonne of £2 per month, will meet employers in conference on the lltlv of January.