THE AUCKLAND WATERFRONT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23411, 19 August 1941, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND WATERFRONT

CONTROL SYSTEM WITHDRAWN

(P A.) AUCKLAND, August 18. Slow»handling of cargo by Auckland waterside workers has resulted in the withdrawal of the contract system by the Waterfront Control Commission A recent letter from the commission stating that if an* improvement were not made the contract system would be withdrawn was received by the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union. After a discussion, the union told the commission to go ahead and withdraw the system. ... - “Some good work has been done spasmodically under the contract system, but we are not satisfied with a group of the men,” said Mr R. E. Price, chairman of the commission. “It is not desirable- to say anything more at present.” * . , , The contract system has been in operation at Auckland since September Under the system the commission contracted with stevedoring companies to work cargo at certain rates for a minimum wage. If the output of work was more than that guaranteed for the time, the workers were to receive bonuses. “We did not welcome the contract system with open arms, as the public were .led to believe/* said a, Barnes, the new president of the union. “We have been dissatisfied with the bonuses over the last few weeks, which were, in fact, nil. For the rates laid down and the work done we should have had substantial bonuses.”