WHARF DISPUTE AT LYTTELTON

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25552, 21 July 1948, Page 4

WHARF DISPUTE AT LYTTELTON

Men Dismissed For “Spelling” WORK CONTINUED WITHOUT PAY Some of the watersiders engaged in loading meat into the Shaw Savill and Albion motor-ship Waiwera at Lyttelton were dismissed yesterday morning for “spelling,” and further, dismissals took place in the afternoon. In each case the men ignored the order and continued working, although warned that they would not be paid and were working at their own risk. “Spelling” is an arrangement among the men themselves whereby they take turns to cease work for a time. It has been the subject of previous disputes, usually in ships loading meat. Sometimes “spelling” has been to the extent of an hour for every hour worked. Under the present agreement with the employers the .men are entitled to “spell” in turns for 20 minutes each morning and afternoon. The Port Committee met yesterday afternoon to consider the dispute, but no settlement was reached. There are possibilities of. further developments this morning when calls are' made for men to replace those dismissed.

UNION REMINDED OF AGREEMENT NO DISMISSALS AT WELLINGTON (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 20. The Waterside Employers’ Association has drawn the atteption of the Waterside Workers’ Union to the agreement made at the end of last year on “spelling” and asked for close observance of it. The matter was raised last week, but so far there had been no dismissals. The “spelling’’ agreement covered hours of arrival and departure from jobs and morning and afternoon smoke periods. More than 100 watersiders were dismissed from overseas ships in Wellington on January 13 .on the ground that they left work early and thus broke this agreement. Since then it is stated that there have been various individual cases of dismissal. Now renewed attention is being given to the matter by employers. Judge Dalglish, chairman of the Waterfront Industry Commission, said to-night that the commission had been advised late to-day of dismissals at Lyttelton, and he understood that a meeting of the port committee there had been held. The matter had not come before the commission for consideration.