SHIP DECLARED BLACK

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25182, 13 May 1947, Page 5

SHIP DECLARED BLACK

AUCKLAND ' WATERSIDERS’ ACTION DISPUTE ABOUT WORKING OF VESSEL’S CARGO (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 12. The Auckland branch of the Waterside Workers’ Union this morning placed a two-day penalty on the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Company’s coastal motor-vessel Margaret W. The ship has been declared black until Wednesday as a result of an alleged infringement of a decision of the union on the time of starting work. After the penalty had been imposed the dispute came before a meeting of the Auckland Port Committee, which could not reach a settlement and referred it to the Waterfront Industry Commissioner (Mr A. E Bockett) in Wellington. Mr Bockett would make no press statement to-night. '

The Waterfront Laboui Engagement Bureau was unable to supply workers for the Margaret W on Friday morning. but three gangs of non-union labour started work at 6 o'clock that evening. The gangs were employed that night and on Saturday morning on the discharge of the motorvessel’s cargo from east coast ports. Work was stopped this mominp hv the union, which declared the ship black because of the 6 p.m. start. This has been barred as a time for starting work since February, 1946. when, a national decision of the union was enforced.