Union Supports Line In Dispute

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 16

Union Supports Line In Dispute

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, September 9.

The chairman of the Auckland Cooks and Stewards’ Union (Mr A. K. Greves) commenting tonight on seamen’s union members refusal to work the 2515-ton freighter Kaimanawa. said: “I don’t think they have a grouse."

Mr Greves, who knows the ship, said he thought the complaint about three sleeping to a room was the thin end of the wedge. “Our chaps are unconcerned about it.”

While the two cooks, two stewards and a chief steward —all members of his union—slept in a different part of the [ship, there was no difference I in the conditions.

i He had slept in ships when there was 14 to a cabin. “In my opinion, the Union Steam Ship Company, has done everything humanly possible with the ship," he added.

“We are not prepared to [give them extra money. We cannot afford to do this.” Mr R. A. Johnson. Auckland manager of the company, said tonight. He also claimed the seamen spent so much time off. that not enough replacements could be found.

But Mr T. A. Curphey. secretary of the Auckland Seamen's Union, reiterated his demands for compensation for working in the “slum ship.” Whether it was in the form of money or more time off it did not matter. Talks between union officials and company representatives were resumed in Wellington today, but broke up in a deadlock. So the Kaimanawa lies tied up in Auckland, still with 14 men short out of a complement of 29 and with not a hope of sailing before Monday afternoon.