LUGGAGE NOT HANDLED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29336, 15 October 1960, Page 12

LUGGAGE NOT HANDLED

Call Refused By Watersiders (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, ' Oct. 14. Watersiders refused to handle passengers’ luggage from the Oranje and the Ruahine at Wellington today. In both cases the crews were called on to do the work.

The Waterfront Industry Tribunal, in a decision published this morning, dismissed ah appeal by the Wellington Watersiders’ Union concerning wet-weather clothing. The tribunal upheld a decision of the chairman of the Port Conciliation Committee that the clothing supplied by the employers was safe and adequate. Today in Wellington there was a strong southerly, with rain at intervals. The matter - was referred to the Port Conciliation Committee but the unipn representatives failed to attend the meeting.

A statement by the Port Employers’ Association said that, at 1 p.m. today, the men at the Oranje were given another opportunity of resuming, and when they refused, disciplinary action was taken according to the rules agreed by the parties. Refusal to work results in suspension for varying periods, ranging from two days upwards for a first breach.

The tribunal had pointed out, continued the statement, that handling passengers’ luggage was “essential work which must be performed promptly in the interests of the passengers and. of the good name of New Zealand.”