A CALL UPON THE PUBLIC

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 42, 18 February 1921, Page 7

A CALL UPON THE PUBLIC

EMPLOYERS' ATTITUDE.

(Contributed by New Zealand Welfare League.)

For some time we have known of the sad havoc brought about at Australian ports .by the constant irritation strikes and the ultimate laying up of Bhips. As an outcome there have been many thousands thrown out of work, whilst transport and industry have been severely dislocated. Now we are faced' with the same sort of thing "in New Zealand. • FACTS OF THE MATTER. i ■The position is that the Court of Arbi- j tration having decreed the payment of a cost-of-living bonus, of 3s per week, j whilst thousands of skilled tradesmen, seamen, and others, have accepted that increased, the waterside workers have dei manded^nore, and at various poTtshave ' instituted "irritation strikes" to try and secure all they demand by force. "■ The "irritation, strikes" have taken the form of: — (a) Refusal to transfer from one job to another in accordance with clause 15 of the agreement, r. ' . (b) Refusal towork meal hours, as provided by clause 13. p (c) Refusal to work at all on Saturday afternoons or after 5 p.m. on other days. The agreement specifies that "the federation and the respective unions undertake that no restrictions relating to overtime work shall be permitted to be made during the Currency of this agreement." The federation and unions say that they have not ordered the "irritation strikes," and only the men individually are responsible. I EMPLOYERS IN THE RIGHT . In the past we have severely criticised the shipping companies where we considered they were in the wi-rfng. In this instance they prove themselves in the right niid should have the backing of the general pnblic. The employers are not. seeking to . reduce wages, but have offered an increase. For the watersidei'K to decide that because' they cannot get all they want that they will hamper the shipping industry'; impede the employers' business, and cause both loss and inconvenience to the general public, places them clearly in the wrong*. If tho federations and unions are not- able to control their members, and the agreement with these, bodies counts for nothing, they are presenting fcho strongest possible reason for freedom qf contract, and the employers dealing with the individual workers only. The employers are dealing, however, w\th tli£ unions and federation, and have now

given formal notice that, unless regular work is resumed and satisfactory guarantees given no further engagement of labour will be made. That decision is drastic but absolutely > necessary. The "irritation strikes" have forced the ulti--matum that the industry must be properly worked or be stopped until the malcontents come to reason. We are sorry that this involves a number of watersiders who wajjt to work in a. regular way, but cannot see the employers j could "do otherwise than they have decided. ■ , , CALL ON THE .PUBLIC. These "irritation strikes" are direct attacks on'tho public. The. men responsible are saying in action, "To hell with ..agreements we care for nobody but ourselves." The general body of the people should mark this and take speedy steps to defend themselves.' The smashing of industry seriously affects everybody, and who want to maintain stability, reason, and commonsense should join together against the force of anarchy now exhibited.