THE T.N.T. DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 39, 15 August 1944, Page 6

THE T.N.T. DISPUTE

' REVIEW OF EVENTS CASE FOR WATERSIOERS ■ "Now that the usual political ballyhoo, which inevitably follows a dispute concerning the waterfront, has subsided, we wish to present a factual synopsis of events leading to the recent T.N.T. dispute," said Mr. E. A. Napier, secretary of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union, today. "This dispute has a psychological genesis, emanating from the series of fatal accidents and an alarming increase in serious accidents experienced on the waterfront recently, making this industry by far the most dangerous of any in New Zealand, necessitating a Governmental and union inquiry into the matter and a general resolve on the part of our members to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of life and limb and the expeditious handling of cargo," he said. "We may state that we have had very little assistance from those who should be concerned. We make no apology for the retention of the old-fashioned idea that if we lose our lives unnecessarily we lose all. On the arrival of the ship in question at this port it was discovered that T.N.T. was being loaded. The job delegate contacted the officials, and a penalty rate was claimed, with the addition of extra men in the trucks to ensure careful handling. This matter proceeded through the constitutional channels, and the claim was disallowed on the assumption that T.N.T, was not being loaded. The men handling the munitions were adamant in their statement that T.N.T. was being loaded, and finally they were given the extra labour for the truck work and guaranteed an extra 2s per hour if it was established that the munitions being handled contained T.N.T.. This was established by a report from a munitions expert, and, though it modified the apparent danger, the men were of the opinion that the authorities concerned had been given ample time to have produced the report before the guarantee had been given. They were offered Is extra per hour, but on principle refused, as at this juncture a decision had been reached to donate the full amount to our fund for overseas soldiers' parcels. RATES ELSEWHERE. "The principle of the extra rate is a penalty one to draw attention to the danger involved and the extra cost and care in handling, and it must be borne in mind that this procedure is not peculiar to the New Zealand waterside workers. It is stated that the difference between ordinary cargo and munitions rates charged by the companies is £1 10s per ton as against £10 per ton freight, and further, it is claimed that dock workers handling T.N.T. or munitions in the United Kingdom receive 5s 6d extra per hour, in the U.S.A. 2.60 dollars, and in Australia 6s per hour. It is as well to appreciate also that many tragic fatalities and serious accidents have occurred recently during the handling of munitions, and that in the factories and workshops special precautions are taken and special facilities provided in the manufacture and handling of all classes of munitions. "Fully 65 per cent, of our membership are returned soldiers from this or the last war, and in our office on file are numerous letters from our members serving overseas, all with the same theme—'Retain and improve the conditions, that is what we are fighting for.' Finally, let us state that we are prepared at any time to substantiate our boast that our war record as an organisation will compare favourably with any other in New Zealand."

Sir,—Allow me to express my strong disapproval at the watersiders and their recent refusal to handle explosives unless paid 2s per hour additional to their present liberal remuneration. In this country and others factories are manned by innumerable men and girls who handle nothing but TN.T. amatol, and kindred high explosives all day and every day. Their rates of pay are probably far lower than that of the watersiders, and they are proud to be able to take an active part in finishing this war quickly. On the various fronts we have men who prefer to have plenty of ammunition to handle and use than to be without. The hazard of battle is there with it all too. Their pay is 7s 6d per day of 24 hours with no extra allowances for handling their shells, bombs, grenades, etc. Do they strike? No. Sir. they have a job to complete in as short a time as possible.—l am, etc.. CHEVAL.