WHARF DISPUTE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 273, 18 November 1941, Page 8

WHARF DISPUTE

REPLY TO PROTEST

STATEMENT FOR COMPANY

"The union knew the urgency of the case, and had the ship not been worked she would have been detained in port over the week-end," said Mr. A. R. Thompson, manager of the Union Steam Ship Company in Auckland, in commenting on the action of the Waterside Workers' Union in refusing to continue to work a cargo vessel on Saturday after 5 p.m. and the protest forwarded to the Minister of Labour. Mr. Webb, against the actions of Captain H. A. Anderson, wharf superintendent of the company. The union alleged that Captain Anderson "openly defied the union and the Waterfront Control Commission and endeavoured to work a ship with non-union labour."

"The shipment consisted of urgent national cargo, full particulars of which did not become known to the stevedore until shortly after 10 o'clock on Saturday morning," added Mr. Thompson. Application was then made to the port controller. Captain C. V. Stanish, to work extended hours, and he had stated that although it was a little late to make the application he would send one of the commission's wharf superintendents to see about the matter.

The men were then told that the vessel would work extended hours on Saturday night, said Mr. Thompson. That was before 11 a.m. and the men made no comment, therefore indicating that they accepted the engagement. However, they ceased work at 5 p.m. and non-union labour was transferred from another ship to work the important nationol cargo.