BOARD MAY MOVE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 281, 24 August 1944, Page 3

BOARD MAY MOVE

Prosecution Of CraneDrivers ATTITUDE OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT Failing action being taken by the Department of Labour, as is stated to be the normal course in the circumstances, against eight crane-drivers for a breach of the Strikes and Lock-outs Emergency Kegulatioiis, the Wellington' Harbour ■ Board itself contemplates taking proceedings. Meanwhile, definite steps by the board to give effect (o that decision have been deferred pending an early indication by tlie department of its in- ■ tentions in the. matter. The board, at its monthly meeting last night, renllirmed ils attitude ns outlined in a letter sent both to the department and the Minister of Labour. Figures were tabled showing a large disparity hi the tonnage of cargo handled an hour by the soldier labour engaged during the disputes, compared with the rate of loading by waterside workers. It was reported that following the dispute earlier this month between the Waterfront Control Commission and waterside workers regarding the loading of ammunition and army stores, soldier labour was ordered by the commission to work the vessel. The board's eight hydraulic crane-drivers said' their union executive had ordered them not to work the ship. They were suspended and the work went on with soldier labour and the vessel’s winches, the rate of loading being considerably better than the normal rate. The district manpower officer notified the board that the cranedrivers were to be forthwith reinstated in their former positions without payment for time lost through suspension. Any further disciplinary action desired by the board, he said, should be taken under the Strikes ami Lock-outs Emergency Regulations. The board made a strong protest to the -manpower authorities against the inadequacy of the penalty imposed, and requested the Department of Labour to take action against the men concerned.

The chairman, Mr. W. H. Price, said that the ship was partly loaded by waterside workers till the hold-up when they demanded increased rates of pay for handling ammunition. Working 41.75 hours, the waterside workers handled 609 tons of cargo by day, at an average of 14.58 tons an hour, and 221 tons by night, working 19.54 hours, at an average of 11.39 tons an hour. By comparison the soldiers working 164 hours, handled 3342 tons by day at an average of 20.37 tons an hour, and 1995 tons by night, working 115.5 hours at an average of 17.27 tons an hour. “The tonnage loaded by waterside workers included 130 tons weight, while that of the army included 1036 tons weight,’’ said the chairman. “The ship's total tonnage loaded was 1167 tons weight and 5000 tons measurement. The same soldiers did not work each day and therefore they were largely strangers to the work. A Regrettable Feature.

“What the board is concerned with is the most regrettable fact that the board’s employees should refuse to work alongside soldiers —men who are prepared to risk their lives in battle for the safety not only of our country, but for the same men and their interests with whom they declined to work side by side. “Regarding the question of taking proceedings against the board’s men for refusal of duty, the board on August 8 and 9 requested to the Labour Department that appropriate proceedings be taken against the crane-drivers in question for their breach of the Strikes and Lock-outs Regulations. As no advice was received from the department as to what action had been taken, the board again wrote on August IS and on Tuesday received a reply from the department stating that finality had riot been reached regarding the question of taking proceedings against the workers concerned. “The board’s solicitor states that the usual and proper course is for any such proceedings to be executed by the Department of Labour. In the event of the department deciding not to take proceedings. the board could do so, but it would be advisable in such a case formally to apply for the permission of the departpient so to do. A letter has today been written to the department, requesting an early decision and stating, that .the board is desirous of taking action if the department is not prepared to do so." Mr. M. A. Elliot moved that the hoard itself should institute proceedings in connexion with the crane-drivers in the event of no reply being received from the Department of Labour. Mr. M. Luckie seconded this motion. Mr. Fitzherbert moved an amendment that the terms of the board’s letter to the department be approved, and that action be deferred till a reply was received. “It is practically the same thing as my motion,” said Mr. Elliot “I will withdraw, but we cannot delay too long. If proceedings arc going to be taken it should be done promptly.” Mr. T. R. Barner commented that the case was very serious. The 'board suspended the crane-drivers by resolution and then appeared to delegate their powers to somebody outside —a manpower officer. “We did not delegate the, power, said the chairman. “They took it, and much ns we dislike it, we can do nothing about if. We suspended the men and he immediately ordered us to reinstate them. We had no alternative under the law. Their pay was deducted during their suspension, but that only happened for one Mr. Johnson said the principal matter before the board should have been concerning the crane-drivers, but other issues were being raised in the report. It was not in the minds of the men to refuse to work with members of the armed forces. It did not matter who loaded the vessel, as a certain decision had been reached regarding policy. Because of an alleged promise by the Waterfront Commission not being kept, the men decided on a certain line of action, and did not in any sense discriminate against soldiers. When the board received the direction from the manpower officer to reinstate the crane-drivers, a move was made by certain members, through ilicir interpretation of the order, to extend the dispute, aud that would have delayed the departure of the ship. Mr. Appleion: I take exception to that statement. It is not correct. Mr. Andrews commented that at the time he had said he was in favour of anv steps at all to get the ship loaded. Mr. Johnson said that without detracting from the good job of loading done by the soldiers, it had to be remembered that, they were young and fit men, compared with elderly watersiders, and they were being constantly relieved. He wanted to place the matter in its right perspective. . ... Mr. Johnson recorded bis, objection to the motion before the meeting. “Despite all that you have said, the crane-drivers refused to work alongside the soldiers.” said the chairman, who said Mr. Johnson had almost suggested that the board, in interpreting the manpower dircctiou, had tried to create further trouble, Mr. Johnson: I said that. straight out. The chairman : Well, in justice to us, it ought to be withdrawn. The course of action proposed by Mr. Fitzherbert was adopted.