Stevedoress wanted?

Press, 8 May 1982, Page 12

Stevedoress wanted?

What woman could turn down a well paid outdoor job working with 850 men? Most, it' seems. Very few women inquire about jobs in the Lyttelton waterfront industry, let alone apply. At the moment no women work on the wharves. The secretary,of the Port Employers' Association. Mr J. Twomey, says he receives only one or two inquiries a year from women seeking jobs on the wharves. He receives a “considerable number" from men. Wharf employers cannot refuse a woman a job on the ground of sex. According to Mr J. A. Doherty, branch manager of the Waterfront Industry

Commission, provision for women is available at the wharves. Women • already worked there, in associated jobs, such as in the cafeteria. “The facilities we have not got we could soon get," Mr Doherty said. Mr Twomey had an inquiry from a woman about two weeks ago, but she had to be turned away because she was too young. It is the usual practice not to employ on the wharves anyone under the age of 19. At the moment there are no vacancies for prospective wharf workers and none have been taken on since 1980. When jobs are available, applicants usually hear about

them by word of mouth or by notice on the Waterfront Workers' Union board. Such a notice usually . causes an influx. Mr Twomey said that last time vacancies were available more than 250 male applicants applied personally in one week. Those who pass an initial interview and medical examination then have to face a selection committee comprising members of the union and the employers' association. Mr Twomey thinks women do not apply for waterfront jobs for two reasons. “I do not know whether they realise it is open for them.” he said. “Also, a lot of them do not think they could handle it.”