WATERSIDERS’ HALL

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26211, 7 September 1950, Page 2

WATERSIDERS’ HALL

Tenders to Close Next Month HARBOUR BOARD’S ASSURANCES Assurances that No. 5 shed on the Lyttelton wharves would be cleared of grain by the end of this month, that tenders for the building of a waiting hall for waterside workers on the site of the shed would close on October 31, and that early* completion .of the building would form an important part of the contract were given yesterday by the Lyttelton Harbour Board to a deputation from the Lyttelton Waterside Workers’ Union, the Port Employers’ Association and the Waterfront In-

dustry Commission. t Members of the deputation sought definite evidence from the board that

an early start would be made on the building of a waiting hall. Waterside workers have refused week-end work as a protest against the delay in commencing the building. Mr W. A. Smith, manager of the Union Steam Ship Company in Christchurch, said that the trouble on the waterfront for the last three months had been disturbing to the whole community. In an effort to reach a friendly agreement the employers had met the workers last Friday. It was obvious to the shipowners that the union was far from satisfied with the progress on their hall, and it was finally agreed that an interview with the Harbour Board should be sought to obtain definite evidence of intention to proceed with the building. “Frankly, I think we were all disappointed with the progress of clearing No. 5 shed,” Mr Smith said. “I think that at*the present rate we would be lucky if it was cleared by the end of this year.” Mr Smith said it would be helpful if the board could give dates for the calling of tenders, the closing of tenders, the commencement of building, and also (though he knew it was difficult to estimate) the approximate time the building would take. ‘‘We had, and still have, a certain amount of reservation about this matter,” said Mr F. J. Balchan, secretary of the Lyttelton Waterside Workers 1 Union. “We came to obtain tangible evidence of an honest intention of getting on with this work. We feel that the present rate of progress will not get us a hall before next winter. Possibly the board may be able to give us counter evidence. We want tangible evidence, not promises. We won’t accept promises any more.” Shifting of Grain Summarising the board’s action sincp the dispute began, the secretary (Mr A. L. Burk) said that on August 3 a circular had been issued to 52 grain merchants advising them that no more grain would be accepted unfil further notice. A further effort was being made to make available for merchants No. 1A shed, which had been on lease to the Ministry of Supply. In the area of No. 5 shed affected there were 13,500 sacks of grain in small stacks, Mr Burk continued. To date 4000 sacks had been transferred from the western end of the shed, and the board was now ready to seal off the section of the shed which was to be used as the waiting hall. The board would be nutting two extra gangs of men on the clearing work, and he was assured that the remaining sacks would be cleared by the end of this month.

“I don’t want to embarrass you, but Harbour Board employees are going to work Saturday mornings to do this job,” Mr Burk said. “Suppose I leave it at that.” The board’s architect had assured him that plans and specifications would be completed by September 30, Mr Burk continued. The. architect was working night and day, Saturday and Sunday, to complete the work. Tenders would close on October 31. Replying to Mr G. Whitford, pt-esi-dent of the union, Mr Burk said it would be physically impossible tp start building in October. ,J I don’t think it fair to try to pin anyone down further,” he said. “The rest is over to

“I am quite satisfied that there are no grounds for casting-doubts on the bona tides of the board,” said Mr F. W. Freeman, chairman of the board. When the secretary of the union had notified the board last May that work would cease on Friday evenings unless tangible evidence was given that work on the new building was contemplated, the facts of steps taken by the board were set out in a statement to the secretary. Apparently the union was not prepared to accept the assurances because week-end work had not been resumed since June 2.

After reviewing the dispute, Mr Freeman said that having repeated the assurances given on previous occasions he felt the board was entitled to’receive undertakings that the shipping companies would waive the penalty imposed on Monday work, and that the watersiders would resume normal work on Fridays and Saturdays. “We will make every endeavour to have occupancy available before next winter,” he concluded. “Completion at an early date will form an important part of the contract” After he had said that the leaders of the union must report to the rank and file, and could not make any promises. Mr Whitford was asked by Mr R. t T. McMillan what the leaders thought. “We have had to forestall action by our branch for two years,” replied Mr Whitford.