Seamen say "Open the Books"

from Tony Topham The following is the text (somewhat abridged) of a leaflet published by Humberside Voice and is signed by the members of the Strike Committee of the Hull branch of the National Union of Seamens "Why we are on strike The press and T.V. have completely ignored the case for the seamen's demand, That is why we feel it is vital to explain the issues to you in the leaflet. "1, Wages and hours In the past, unfortunately, the Union has failed to obtain a decent living wage for seamen, For example: The 1961 Agreement gave a basic wage for a 44 hour week of £9! Out of this, after deducting taxes and money kept back for FINES, a man could send home to wife and family a maximum of £7.10. a week. All overtime pay was retained by the employer till the end of the voyage, The seamen's families had to live till then on levels below Nationa Assistance! In the 1965 Agreement, the NUS accepted a 56 hour week because it meant a man could send an improved allowance of £11 maximum to his wife. But the agreement seid that only essential duties should be done at weekends, THE EMPLOYERS COMPLETELY IGNORED THE AGREEMENT - weekends are worked still - regardless of whether they are essential duties of not, Result = the employer gets far more work done at basic rates, less at overtime rates, "The presend demands, 1966 1, A 40 hour week - a thing which nearly all shore workers enjoy now = and an objective of the labour movement for half a century, 2. £14 a week as the AB's basic wage. This would mean that a man could send home £11 maximum to his wife and family.