Unions dispute Rangatira job

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32874, 24 March 1972, Page 3

Unions dispute Rangatira job

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 23. Work on the Rangatira is being threatened by a job demarcation issue between two sections of shore workers.

Boilermakers and “tankies" —men who do labouring work and clean and paint ships—both claim it is their job to handle the steel plates being used for a bulkhead required in the conversion of a deck lounge into a cinema. Boilermakers have their own union, and “tankies” are members of the Waterside Workers’ Union.

A similar dispute arose when insignia were being fitted to the funnels of the rail ferries in June, 1970. “Tankies” threatened to walk off the Aramoana. objecting to vents being placed in position by boilennakers. The disputes committee of

the Wellington Trades Council subsequently ruled that it was work for the “tankies.” Today the matter was again taken to the disputes committee, which reaffirmed its earlier decision. Sources on the wharves say that at the moment in the Rangatira dispute there is "an uneasy peace.” They say that if the “tankies” handle the plates the boilermakers might refuse to weld them into position. After the difference arose today, boilermakers continued work to complete the plates. There is hope that by the time they are completed the issue wili be settled.