WHARF DISPUTE AT TOKOMARU BAY

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25550, 19 July 1948, Page 6

WHARF DISPUTE AT TOKOMARU BAY

REFUSAL TO LOAD LIGHTER “The Press” Special Service

GISBORNE, July 17. The Tokomaru Bay watersiders have declined to handle any cargo at the port until their dispute with the Waterfront Industry Commission is decided in their favour. As a result the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat and Mercantile Company, operators of the Margaret W., have announced that no freight will be accepted at Auckland for discharge at Tokomaru Bay until further notice. The embargo on loading meat into Richatdson and Company’s vessels from the Tokomaru Bay wharf has been in effect for several weeks. The trouble began three months ago when the waterside workers asked for the classification as lighters of feeder vessels operated by Richardson and Company in the transport of meat from the Tokomaru Bay works for transhipment to overseas vessels at other ports. The union’s agreement provides for an additional payment of 5d an hour for men working lighters in roadsteads and the Tokomaru Bay unionists held •that the classification of feeder vessels should be altered to enable them to receive the additional payments. The decision of the commission on June 1 rejected the claim of the unionists. Since then the Tokomaru Bay ; men have refused to accept engagement for loading meat into feeder ves- ! seis. This attitude led recently to a I further decision pv the commission suspending payment of the minimum ; weekly wage to waterside workers at ! Tokomaru Bay.