Waterside Proposals Rejected In Auckland

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32361, 29 July 1970, Page 18

Waterside Proposals Rejected In Auckland

CNew Zealand Press Association;

AUCKLAND, July 28.

Auckland waterside workers today rejected proposals to change their working conditions.

The president Of the Auck- Workers’ Federation and the land Watersiders’ Union (Mr port employers are now beJ. Clare) said there were few, fore the Government and the if any, advantages for water- Federation of Labour for apsiders in the proposals which proval. Auckland had turned down. They include a supple- “ All the material advant- mentary night shift, a change ages go to the shipowners,” from casual to permanent emhe said. “Previous leaders of ployment, and a requirement our union have fought for the to work in wet weather. They watersiders’ right to work have been accepted by the when they want to and to sign other 21 waterside workers’ off when they want We are unions. certainly not going to throw Auckland waterside workthese rights away for $2 a ers number about a quarter week.” of the national total.

The changes would not mean a faster turn-round of shipping, so no advantage would have been gained in that direction. “There has been next to no consultation with other unions, such as freezing workers and drivers, who are involved on the waterfront,” he said. “Basically, we intend to keep working, as we always have done.” The proposals were discussed at a stop-work meeting attended by 1300 watersiders. The new working conditions would have given them pay increases of 24c an hour on their basic rates. The conditions agreed to between the National Waterside