INQUIRY MADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 250, 30 July 1940, Page 3

INQUIRY MADE

REFUSAL TO WORK OVERTIME. THE MONTEREY INCIDENT. (Per Press Association,. WELLINGTON, July 29. The Waterfront Control Commission is investigating the refusal of the Auckland waterside workers to load the Monterey after 6 o’clock, with the result that cargo was left behind when she sailed. Appropriate action will be taken if necessary. A statement to this effect was made by the chairman of the Commission (Mr R. E. Price) today. He said he was still inquiring into the matter, but it seemed to him, on the facts so far at his disposal, that the men had been, messed about, three different orders having apparently been given them during the (lay. The position was that the shipping company put in an application on Friday night for men to work extra hours up to 10 o’clock on Saturday. This application was subject to cancellation by the company before 10 a.m. jii Saturday. At 10 a.m. on Saturdayafter the men had commenced worn the company cancelled the order to work after 5 o’clock, on the assumption that they would finish loading the cargo before that time. About 4.30 ]■ -in• they found that they Would he unable to finish some hatches, and the companv asked that men should work to 6 p.m. through their meal hour. This was agreed upon. A further request, however, that they should work beyond that time, was declined by the men. Mr Price said few complaints had been received about the need to apply in advance when men were to be required to work extended hours. Is was only* reasonable, however, that Ine men should be able to notify then homes that they would not iie coming home at the usual time. Tim iodging of an application entitled no obligation on the employer to work the extra hours, provided lie cancel led the order before 10 a.m. Formerly Cancellat-oif could he made until 11 a.m.; but recently it was decided that application must he confirmed or cancelled by 10 o’clock. If an order were confirmed, it became a definite engagement, and in an ordinary engagement, unless the weather was wet, wages must be paid for tlie whole period, whether the men worked full time or not. INVESTIGATION AT AUCKLAND. ) AUCKLAND, July 29. An investigation into the action of the waterside workers who refused to continue loading operations on tlie Matson liner Monterey on Saturday evening is being conducted by the Auckland waterfront controller (Captain Staunch) who will make a report to the Waterfront Commission. None of the men. had been excluded from the waterfront for their action, as had occurred after the waterside workers had refused the commission’s request to work extended hours on July 13, said Captain Stanich. Men permanently employed by the stevedore company in charge of the loading operations continued with the work after the waterside workers had left the job, and they were assisted by the cranemen, who continued to work the cranes. The cranemen were employed by the Auckland Harbour Board. The agents of the Matson Line, Henderson and Macfarlane, did not anticipate that loading would not be completed by 6 o’clock; but one of the derricks on the ship broke dbwn and loading operations were delayed.