OFFICERS OF SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1922, Page 5

OFFICERS OF SHIPS.

(UNION COMPANY’S WAGES. A DISPUTE CREATED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Negotiations recently took place between the Union Steam Ship Company anu the Merchant Service Guild, with reference to the wages and conditions of officers employed in t/he TFompany’a vessels, and the company offered to continue paying the wages at present ruling until the Arbitration Court made its pronouncement on the wages question, provided the officers agreed to certain modifications in their working conditions. The members of the Merchant .Service Guild took a ballot on the question of accepting the proposal of the company, with the result that the members voted, against acceptance. The Union Company has now cited the Guild under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. A pressman was informed to-day that the company is seeking an award providing for a reduction on the present rates of wages amounting approximately to 26 per cent., as well as variations in the working conditions. It is understood the Guild desires that the present working conditions should continue in force and wages should be assessed according to the economic conditions. The members of the Guild work under the principle of the eight-hour day, and when the company first entered into negotiations with the officers, it was stated it sought to revert back to a 56-hour week, which was in force previous to the agreement with the Guild coming into operation. The dispute filed by the Union Company against the Guild will be 'heard by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. W. Newton) at Wellington on Monday next.