SHIPS HELD UP

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 185, 3 May 1933, Page 10

SHIPS HELD UP

Seamen’s Protest Action WAGE-CUT DISPUTE New Agreement Opposed ■ MEN NOT UNANIMOUS A serious hold-up of shipping occurred at Wellington yesterday due to-dissatisfaction on the part of a section of the Seamen’s Union with Hie provisional agreement which camo into force this week, making a further cut of 5 pci’ cent, in wages. The Lyttelton ferry steamer Alaori was delayed for more than an hour last night, and the departure of the passenger ships Alaunganui, Alonowai, and Arahura; and five cargo vessels had to be postponed. Early in the afternoon it was freely stated on the waterfront that a general hold-up of shipping was a strong probability. Colour was lent to this belief by the fact that the Union Company’s San Francisco mail liner Alaunganui, which was due to sail at 3 p.m. for Sydney, did not get away at that time, though she was all ready for sea. The shipping companies affected and the Seamen’s Union officials were very reticent as to the nature of the trouble. Even as late as 7.30 p.m., when it was definitely known that the Alonowai and Walkawa, and the Lyttelton and Nelson ferry steamers were not likely to sail to time, and the Alaunganui was still at the wharf with no appearance of activity, two leading officials of the Seamen’s Union’refused to admit any knowledge of anything in the nature of a hold-up. Seamen’s Union Meeting. It was known, however, that a meeting of the Seamen’s Union was held earlier in the day, at which the provisional agreement regarding pay and conditions arrived at between the shipping companies and the executive of the union was discussed. No official statement was available as to the outcome of the meeting, but it is stated that a vote of no confidence in the executive of the union was carried. Genesis of the Trouble.

Last year, after protracted negotiations between the Seamen’s Union and the New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation, a provisional agreement was reached, which provided, inter alia, for a 10 per cent, cut in the wages of seamen and firemeu, to operate as from November 1 last. Up to that time the maximum rate of pay was £lB/7/- a month, and this was to be reduced by the cut to £l6/11/6. It was stated at the time that the voting in favour of accepting the 10 per cent, cut and other modifications of the former agreement was a majority of two to one. The former agreement, which expired at the end of last August, was not subject to the general order of the Arbitration Court. It is understood that the shipowners’ original proposals provided for a cut of 20 per cent, in wages, and that this was amended to 15 per cent., and subsequent provisional agreement reached being on the basis of 10 per cent, reduction, which was regarded as a purely temporary arrangement pending further negotiations for a new agreement.

Second Cut in Wages.

The further negotiations were finalised last month, when a new provisional agreement was reached. A representative of the shipowners informed “The Dominion” yesterday that this provisional agreement with the executive of the Seamen’s Union provided for a further reduction of 5 per cent, in wages and certain modifications iu conditions of employment. This new agreement was to operate as from Alay 1. In view' of the fact that it had been negotiated by the executive officers of the Seamen’s Union, it was naturally expected by the shipowners that it would be accepted, and the action of a section of the men in holding np important ships was entirely unconstitutional.

The Ships Affected.

The ships principally affected were the Alaunganui, for Sydney, and Alonowai, which was to sail at 8 p.m. for Auckland and Sydney; the ferry steamers Alaori for Lyttelton and Arahura, for Nelson; and the cargo steamers AVaikawa, AVaimarino, Tees, Awahou, and Orepuki. An arrangement was reached in regard to the AVaikawa, which sailed soon after 8 o’clock for Lyttelton, but it was not until 9 p.m. that the Alaori got away—an hour and a quarter late. The Arahura had all her passengers and mails on board and was ready to sail at her usual hour of 7.30 p.m.. but in tlie event her departure had to be cancelled. It is hoped to get her away for Nelson at noon to-day.

Negotiations were carried on till a late hour last night, but no agreement was reached regarding the Monowai and Maunganui, whose sailings were postponed until to-day. The departure of the cargo ships Waimarino, Tees, Orepuki and Awahou was also deferred until to-day.

It. was stated l at a late hour last night that a general meeting of the Seamen’s Union would be held at 8 o’clock this morning, presumably to further discuss the agreement, and the question of manning and taking, the ships to sea. Apparently the trouble is at present wholly confined to Wellington, but it is hoped that better counsels will prevail to-day and that the men will accept the agreement arrived at by their executive. The ferry steamer Rangatlru left Lyttelton at her usual time Inst night for 'Wellington. It is stated that the seamen and firemen are by no means unanimous over the hold-up of the ships. For a long time there has been considerable unemployment in the ranks of the union due to the slackness of trade and the laying-up of ships. Many of the men realise the position and are quite prepared to accept the provisional agreement, but it is said that some of the more militant unionists are seizing the opportunity to create trouble.

Two men were placed on board the .Maunganui yesterday to be deported to Sydney as prohibited immigrants.