Is this a fair wage for an deckhand trainee and ratings?

[MartyG]

I think I was on 16 a month when I started as a deck boy in '63 for a 48 hour week and 56 a month as EDH in '67. that was a 56 hour week too from memory. As far as I remember I had no complaints with the wages of the time. I think I got a days leave for each Sunday at sea plus a day a month, does that sound right?
MartyG

[Ray McCerery]

[QUOTE=Collisto;38761]I'm currently on the cargo ship which carries cement and always work on the ship from 8-5 and weekends.


I think you should ask the ITF to visit your ship, you have access to a PC give them a ring or email and the nearest inspector will make arrangements to visit the vessel. The inspector will check to see if the vessel has all documentation up to date including the blue book agreement between the company and minimum wages.

Disregard silly comment like free meals and accommodation these go with the job

Best Regards
Ray

[Pete Leonard (Bruno)]

I think this guy Collisto is typical of todays younger generation, they want it all now and are not prepared to wait until they are considered fit for the job. I don't think the wage that he is complaining about is that bad considering he probably only has his tool to keep. I don't know why but I kept all my wage slips for my entire time at sea, and I'm glad now that I did. When I first went to sea in 1949 as a boy my wage was £7.00 per month. I had left a job ashore which was paying £5.00 per week, but obviously I had to pay my Mum for my board and keep. So although my wages at sea seemed meagre I was not that much worse off because it was all found, Plus fags at sixpence (2 1/2p) a packet. When I got my rating at age 18 I felt like a millionaire on £17.00 a month. Even on my final voyage in 1958 my wage was only £34.15 a month. You could never compare wages at sea with shoreside wages. I think most of us of that era were happy with our lot and we would not have swapped it for a life ashore anyway.

[Capt Bill Davies]

I have purposefully steered clear of commenting on this post but feel compelled to register my agreement with Pete Leonard on his previous post on this thread. Well said Pete.

[happy daze john in oz]

Have to agree with Pete, when I left mid 60's I think catering wages were about 48 a month. But all found, cheap fags and beer what more could you wish for. Always had plenty to go ashore with and also when on leave. Found it hardere ashore on a higher wage when I swallowed the hook.

[Pete Leonard (Bruno)]

I have just re-read Collisto's original post and realized that he only works eight months of the year,and gets the rest on full pay. I can now perhaps understand his gripe, the poor soul has to manage four months paying for his board and keep. The more I read this, the more I think that this guy is winding us all up.
The only leave that we were given was a day per month plus 1/2 day for each Sunday at sea. Alright this was increased later to 1 day per Sunday but even with a few shillings subsistence allowance it did not amount to very much.

[Capt Bill Davies]

[QUOTE=Pete Leonard (Bruno);65757]I have just re-read Collisto's original post


Exactly the reason for my initial reluctance to post. I am suspicious of the motives behind this one.

[Ray McCerery]

[QUOTE=Pete Leonard (Bruno);65757]I have just re-read Collisto's original post and realized that he only works eight months of the year,and gets the rest on full pay. I can now perhaps understand his gripe, the poor soul has to manage four months paying for his board and keep. The more I read this, the more I think that this guy is winding us all up.
The only leave that we were given was a day per month plus 1/2 day for each Sunday at sea. Alright this was increased later to 1 day per Sunday but even with a few shillings subsistence allowance it did not amount to very much.[/QUOT
E]



Pete

The average wage now for a british AB is £26.000 pa most now are on one for one leave cycles working a twelve hour day while onboard.

Ray

[Keith Tindell]

Hi Pete,
My time from 1958-1964, and never do i recall dripping about the money, in fact if she was a good over time ship, we were loaded, never was short of money. In fact the main gripe i recall was what sort of a feeder was she, even then a lot was down to the cook, if i remember rightly, steak for evening meal every Friday, unheard of when i was at home. And the only entertainment on board was radio, if in range, and reading. Maybe i just have rose coloured glasses on Regards Keith tindell

[Ivan Cloherty]

[QUOTE=Keith Tyndell;65766]Hi Pete,
My time from 1958-1964,

Hi Keith

I was at sea earlier than you, we didn't get paid much, but even on the worst feeders we could not have fed at home like we were at sea, during the rationing period there was no way it could happen, so no you are not looking at it through rose coloured spectacles but reality

I wonder if the young man in question could get a shore job where he works for eight months and then four months at home on full pay. Reading some of the job applications for seafarers now makes me wonder what planet I am on. Six weeks on and six weeks off on full pay and of course all travelling expenses paid, plus pension contributions paid etc etc etc, they still complain they have no family life, they have internet, skype, mobiles etc etc. We had a letter six weeks after it was written if we were lucky and away bloody sight longer than 6 weeks, 22 months being my longest away on one trip, it makes you wonder just what the hell they do want

So to the complainer- if you are still reading these posts

Stop bellyaching young man, whoever you are, pull your finger out and get on with the job, and in today's economic climate be thankful that you've got one