UNION'S REPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 304, 23 December 1940, Page 4

UNION'S REPLY.

REASON FOR STOPPAGE WATERSIDE WORKERS' VIEW. With reference to the action of the watersidera in xefueing to complete the loading of a veeael in port on Saturday night, the following statement has been issued by Mr. P. K. Soloman, president of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union, on behalf of the Frees committee:— "We have noticed in the Press a garbled and misleading statement from the shipping company with reference to cargo left on the wharf. The following facts may clear up the position. . "Aβ delegate working on the wharf, I was' approached by Mr. R. £. Price, Commissioner, and informed that it would be necessary to work extended hours' on the ship—possibly until 2 a.m. on Sunday. Refreshments would be provided if the ship was not finished; by 11 p.m. "To this, the men readily consented. "At 11.10 p.m. I approached the man in charge of the loading and suggested that he provide refreshment while the men were standing by owing to heavy rain—not light drizzle as was reported. Hie answer was, 'I'll see about a pot of coffee being provided,' but made no effort to indicate he would do so.

"A protest meeting was called at 11.25, a meeting of men who were both tired and hungry, who said they were willing to work when the rain stopped. We were ordered to finish. "Dozens of these men fought in the last war, many of their sons are fighting in this war. They had already worked 65 hours in a freezing chamber in five day*. Shades of the 40-hour week! "We strongly protest at the charge that we are not doing our bit and, furthermore, we do not consider it wise to advertise the time of departure of a veeMl sailing overseas, as has been done."