Unions accept container move

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33583, 11 July 1974, Page 14

Unions accept container move

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, July 10.

The bringing of cargo in containers from Australia to New Zealand in the Australian National Line vessel Australian Endeavour this week has the approval of seamen and watersiders in both countries.

The shipment is covered by an agreement reached between the Australian and New Zealand Seamen’s and Waterside Workers’ Unions in Sydney last February. Under this the New Zealand unions agreed there was no ban on the use of Australian ships on the Tasman trade, and Australian seamen had a right to take part in the trade. The Australian unions agreed they were opposed to

any development that would unfairly prejudice the existing levels of employment of New Zealand . seamen or waterside workers.

The president of the New Zealand Seamen’s Union (Mr D. J. Morgan) said that provided “genuine A.N.L. capacity” was being used his union had no objection.

Union Company vessels were fully engaged, and could not handle the accumulated cargo in the immediate future.

The A.N.L. vessel plans to bring regular shipments of cargo from Australia to New Zealand only.

An Associated Container Transportation official said full discussions had been held with the Waterside Workers’ Federation on behalf of A.N.L. There is said to be more than 100,000 tons awaiting shipment from Australia to New Zealand and about 25,000 tons of New Zealand cargo for Australia.