Dispute Over Lever Pulling Delays Ship

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30933, 14 December 1965, Page 22

Dispute Over Lever Pulling Delays Ship

(New Zealand Prest Aeioclationi WELLINGTON, December 13.

The inter-island stream-express Maori did not make a trial run to Lyttelton tonight because two unions could not decide who should pull a lever.

'rhe lever operates the hydraulic lift which carries cars between the lower deck and the main vehicle deck on the ship which has just been converted to a roll-on type ship.

Both the Seamen’s Union and the Watersiders’ Union claimed the right to manipulate it.

The Seamen’s Union refused to man the ship unless members operated the lever. Watersiders refused to load it unless they did.

Because ■ they could not agree, the ship did not sail. Both unions will meet with representatives of the Union Steam Ship Company tomorrow to decide which has the most “pull.” It is hoped that the ferry will sail tomorrow night. The dispute is similar to one in which watersiders

daim the right to operate automatic hatches. The company feds the Federation of Labour ought to dedde.

The contractors who converted the Maori to roll-on, roll-off believe the hydraulic lift should be operated by crew members. Acddents could happen if

an inexperienced operator used it Seamen on the ship also protested about the toilet plumbing. This is not fully operative in the crew’s quarters. However, on the trial run, the crew would have been able to use passengers* facilities. Some seamen complained because they had to walk 30 yards to take a shower. “Words fail me,” said a company spokesman tonight Plumbing facilities on the ship are not complete because skilled labour was short.