WATERSIDE WORKERS' DEMANDS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17391, 28 February 1922, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS' DEMANDS.

ANOTHER HOLD-UP AT LYTTELTON. Another dispute over alleged "dirty" cargo has arisen at Lyttelton, this time ro connexion with the discharge of the .uteamer Errol's cargo of bulk sulphur. The JSrrbl commenced discharging on Saturday morning, four gangs being employed- Tho men were receiving 2s per hour, the special rate for bulk cargoes, being'6d more than ordinary cargo rates. .Karly yesterday afternoon the men asked that a higher rate should oe paid on the ground that the; cargo waa .narticularly obnoxious, the sulphur dust affecting their throats and eyes. The Local Disputes Committee met and discussed the position. The employers representatives declined to recommend any increase, as the cargo was ordinary bulk cargo, a's provided for by the special rate which the men' were already receiving. The men's representatives contended that the cargo was worth more money. Tho committee, therefore, failed to come to any agreement. *. The present is tho first occasion on which bulk sulphur has been unloaded at Lyttelton, but fairly large consignments have been discharged at other ports in the Dominion, particularly Auckland. The employers representatives accordingly wired to Auckland, enoiiiring if any extra rate had been paid there for bulk sulphur. A reply was received that no extra rate had ever been paid, and that the men had al- v ways been paid according to the rate laid down in the schedule. The men's representatives also wired to the Auckland Union officials, and received a similar reply. The Local Disputes Committee met again at 4 p.m., when the replies were discussed, but again no agreement was reached. The men's representatives then announced that the watersiders concerned would not continue unless they were paid an extra 6d per hour, and that they would not commence work this morning unless that rate (3s 3d) was agreed to. On considering the matter the committee intimated that the notice was rather short, and asked that the men should continue until neon to-day, pending further consideration The proposal was put to the men and the reply was received that they had .definitely decided not to start this morning unless their demands were acceded. In view of this it is not considered likely that the men will start this morning. What tho trouble may lead to J* is at present difficult to say. It is for the employers to make the next move. Possibly the matter may be referred to the National Disputes Committee at Wellington.