Maheno Delayed By Sydney Dispute

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32007, 6 June 1969, Page 1

Maheno Delayed By Sydney Dispute

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) SYDNEY, June 5. Labour disputes continue to plague the new Tasman seacargo express service.

The Union Steam Ship Company, owner of the roll-on freighter Maheno which inaugurated the service this week, has become involved in a dispute between carriers and tally clerks.

The dispute over cargo tallying and documentation has further delayed the Maheno’s departure on the return leg of her maiden Tasman voyage. She was to sail at 6 p.m. (N.Z. time) today for Auckland, but the departure was later put back to 11 p.m. and now is 1 a.m. on Friday. Earlier this week the Maheno was idle for three hours when watersiders at her Sydney terminal stopped work.

The men returned to work after union and company officials agreed to discuss a union claim for more labour on the terminal to work the Maheno.

The fresh trouble over documentation delayed the arrival of some seafreighters at the terminal and held up* loading.

The Federated Clerks’ Union wanted all seafreighters and containers for the Maheno packed at approved forwarding depots where clerks work under a shipping clerks’ award. Some of the cargo for the Maheno was, however, packed by carrying companies and forwarding agents where clerks were not working under the shipping award, a union spokesman said today. Freight for the Maheno has now been accepted on the understanding that the prob-

lem goes to arbitration and that all New Zealand freight discharged from the ship on her initial run is unpacked at approved depots. Carrying companies and forwarding agents will meet before a Commonwealth conciliation commission tomorrow.

“We hope the problem will be settled before the Maheno returns to Sydney,” a company spokesman said today. “We’ve got dispensation to move all our cargo for this voyage only.” In addition to union disputes, minor problems with equipment on the terminal and on the ship itself contributed to the late sailing of the Maheno.

In spite of the delays the Maheno is expected to be in Auckland in time to begin unloading at 8 a.m. on Monday.