STRIKE MOVE AT PORT

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26465, 5 July 1951, Page 6

STRIKE MOVE AT PORT

——♦ . Former Unionists Seek Work

152 APPLICATIONS YESTERDAY One hundred and fifty-two members of the deregistered Waterside Workers’ Union at Lyttelton yesterday applied to Join the new union. This action followed a decision to return to work as soon as possible, made by a two-to-one majority at a meeting of 3SO deregistered unionists yesterday morning.

No instructions about closing the new port register have yet been received, but enrolments must be nearing the number required. At the start of work yesterday morning,* there were 500 members of the new union at Lyttelton from a total of 600 who had registered up to Tuesday afternoon. Besides the 152 deregistered unionists who lodged applications yesterday there was the usual number of casual registrations, so that the total is nearing the strength of the old union—Boo men. Ihere has been some speculation about the attendance of only, 350 at the old union’s meetings this week. However, it is known that many of the old union’s members have taken other employment. Attendances at meetings have been declining steadily. There was talk yesterday of the old union being wound up at another meeting to-day, but this action may depend on further consultations of the national executive. Yesterday’s decision followed the old Union’s agreement on Tuesday to seek a direction to return to work from the national executive of the deregistered union, and to resume work in any case if this was not forthcoming. That vote was also by a two-to-one majority. It is believed that the likely closing of the port register and the miners' vote to return to work caused the rapid change in the old union’s firm stand since February 14. The District Superintendent of the Department of Labour and Employment (Mr S. E. McGregor), as registering authority, said the applications from former union members at Lyttelton would be dealt with In the ordinary way, and the men could start work when called on by the registering authority. Formalities were expected to take two or three days. Many of the old union's members had indicated their readiness to start work immediately, others had stipulated Monday, as the day for beginning work, and some later dates when they could be released from other employment, added Mr McGregor.