"MESSED ABOUT"?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 179, 30 July 1940, Page 13

"MESSED ABOUT"?

MEN ON WATERFRONT.

MONTEREY CARGO HITCH.

COMMISSION INQUIRING.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday,

The Waterfront Control Commission is investigating the refusal of Auckland waterside workers to load the Monterey after six o'clock on Saturday, 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, to-day. 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 day.

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. on Saturday. At 10 a.m." on Saturday, after the men had commenced work, the company cancelled the order to work atfer five o'clock on the assumption they would finish loading tlie cargo before that time. Worked Through Meal Hour. About 4.30 p.m. they found they would be unable to finish some hatches and the company asked that the 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 a few complaints had been received about the need to apply in advance when men were to be required to work extended hours. It was only reasonable, however, that men should be able to notify their homes they would not be coming home at the usual time. The lodging of an application entailed no obligation on the employer to work extra hours, provided he cancelled the order before 10 a.m. Formerly cancellation could be made until 11 a.m., but recently it was decided that applications must be confirmed or cancelled by 10 o'clock. If an order was confirmed it became a definite engagement, and in the ordinary engagement, unless the weather was wet, wages must be paid for the whole period, whether the men worked the full time or not.