Watersiders accused of “go-slow” tactics

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 18

Watersiders accused of “go-slow” tactics

Lyttelton waterside workers had recently been adopting “go-slow” tactics, the branch secretary of the Port Employers’ Association (Mr J. Toomey) said yesterday. There had been instances, he said, where the rate of working was less than one-third the normal.

The chairman of the Port Conciliation Committee (Mr R. H. Duff) said yesterday that the committee had received evidence of a slow rate of work on some ships during the last week, and the executive of the Lyttelton Waterside Workers’ Union was being asked to request its members to work normally. Mr R. J. Wasley, president of the union, said there was no “go-slow” as far as the union was concerned. But the employers’ recent pay offer of 2.2 per cent had been received with great consternation and dismay by the union membership, he said. This had probably caused some reaction in their approach to their work. The Union secretary (Mr M. E. Foster) said that any slowness would be a spontaneous reaction by members. CARCASES SOFTENED Some concern was expressed at Lyttelton on Thursday during the loading of export carcase mutton for Japan aboard the Port Montreal. Not only was it an exceptionally hot day, but about 100 carcases which had come from as far afield as Balclutha and Timaru had to be sent to Christchurch freezing works for further refrigeration because they

had become soft after delay in loading at the wharf. However, it is not unknown for carcases to be returned to freezing works for similar treatment when there are delays from various causes.

The Port Montreal was expected to sail for Wellington last evening. She had been laid up at Lyttelton before undertaking a Crusader Line charter, and only began loading this week. Last week, when the refrigerated cargo liner Cedric was loading for the West Indies at Lyttelton, about 300 carcases and some cartoned meat had to be returned to the Christchurch freezing works for similar treatment, according to a city freezing works spokesman. He attributed this to slowness on the waterfront. NORMAL SPEED

It was reported yesterday morning that work had definitely speeded up as far as the Port Montreal was concerned, but that a "go-

slow” was in operation on the Auckland Star, which is loading lamb, venison, wool, seed, peas, and general cargo for the Continent and Britain. She is expected to sail today. By yesterday mid-after-noon, however, it was reported by shipping officials that work at the normal speed had resumed over the whole waterfront, and relief was expressed. Not all ships have been affected by the “go-slow”— the refrigerated vessels Port Montreal and Auckland Star have been the ones giving most concern.