DELAY TO THE PAKEHA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25245, 25 July 1947, Page 8

DELAY TO THE PAKEHA

SHIP CARPENTERS’

CLAIM EMPLOYERS’ STATEMENT The demand of 6d an hour extra for working in a confined space made by ship carpenters on the Pakeha at Lyttelton last week, was not justified in the opinion of the Lyttelton Waterside Employers’ Association. In a statement reviewing negotiations to settle the dispute, which held up the Pakeha from July 18 to July 23. the association says that everything was done by the employers to have the dispute discussed through orthodox channels, but the men endeavoured to force their claim by taking direct action and ceasing work. The statement adds that after their demand for extra money for working on the bridge space had been refused, the men, who were all members of the ship’s carpenters section of the Lyttelton branch of the Waterside Workers’ Union, ceased work and left the ship at 9.15 a.m. They had been employed to clean up and dunnage the bridge space before cargo was loaded. A claim of 6d an hour dirt money was met, but the demand for 6d an hour for working in a “confined space” was not granted, as it was not justified. According to the association, the bridge space which is on the main deck and opens on to it, has a standard height of Bft 6in and a minimum height of 7ft 6in. Entrance is made through either No. 3 hatchway, which has an opening of 13ft 6in by 16ft 6in or by doors at the fore and after ends of the deck.

On Friday morning the carpenters, through the union, refused to resume work until their demand was met In the afternoon they agreed to the association’s request for a local disputes committee meeting on Saturday morning. No agreement was reached on Saturday morning, and at the emoloyers’ request the disoute was referred to the national disnutes committee at Wellington. The union suggested that the national committee should meet at Lyttelton, but. according to the statement, gave no indication that the men would resume work if this was done. u

The statement adds that on Saturday afternoon the union was advised that immediately work was resumed the employers were prepared to meet at a national disputes committee meeting at Lyttelton. This offer was repeated tw’re on Monday morning and twice on Tuesday, but the men stated that they had held a meeting and would not resume work unless their demand for “confined space” monev was naid.

“The Pakeha was dispatched for London at 8 am. on July 23, and had available space for an additional 650 tons measurement of cargo.” says the statement. “Had this vessel not sailed, she would have been delayed until the dispute was settled. If we are to be subjected to further stoppages of this description, conditions will become impossible for shipowners who “are trying to get New Zealand produce away.”