NOT UNLOADED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 248, 1 August 1941, Page 3

NOT UNLOADED.

CUANO CARGO AT WELLINGTON.

i DISPUTE. OVER RATE OF PAY

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 31. Two Wellington waterfront gangs which were supposed to start at 1 p.m. to-day unloading, a cargo of guano declined to work for the ordinary award rate of 3s 10.7 d an hour—2s 11.7 d, plus lid for guano. When the hatches were opehCd up the men said it dyas dirty cargo, and claimed payment at the rate of 4s an hour. This being refused, the men left tho ship. The dispute was referred to the Waterfront Control Commission, which is obtaining a report from the Wellington Waterfront Controller (Captain C. C. Vandenbergh). it is understood that the men also held a meeting. An official of the company handling the cargo said that when the request for increased payment was refused the men walked off. The same ship had been worked in New Plymouth live months previously with the same type of cargo, and the men accepted the award rate without complaint. “Our members think, rightly or wronglv, that they were sacked.” said Mr A. Learv, walking delegate l'or the union. Ho* said that quite a number of the men had left when lie. reached the ship, but those he spoke to told him they had been Tho socrotarv of the union (Mr T. N. ’Warren) said he had no statement, to make.