WATERSIDERS’ WHIMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 March 1925, Page 3

WATERSIDERS’ WHIMS

POSITION AT LYTTELTON. (Special to “Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, March 24. Lyttelton has become a port of whispers, and apparently it will continue to be, so long as the present state of “nerves” between watersiders and shipping companies continues. How long that will be probably only a few union officials at headquarters in Wellington can say. Just at present, they are keeping ',very much in the background. If it Were not for the f a ct that it is having a serious effect on business, the shipping position at Lyttelton could be regarded as ludicrous, ihe port is congested with vessels. There is ample work available for all watersiders willing to work, and considerable overtime at the rate of time and a half is offering, yet the men, fdr reasons which they will not publicly z state, are carrying out a policy which is resulting in financial loss to tneinselves, as well as to their employers. The extraordinary part of the whole business is that while they are making themselves “martyrs to , tfieir principles” the watersiders in ail other main ports are cheerfully working overtime and collecting . bulkier pay envelopes. Dissatisfaction with existing rates of pay no longer occupies the central position in the picture. The meat gangs are working ordinary time at Arbitration Court rates of pay, without any demur and no more complaints are. heard aoout the difficulties of working coal vessels. The men do not wish to be bothered with the overtime which until recently, they were all so keen to obtain. The question most frequently cropping up at the port is what is the next move going to be? The watersiders themselves apparently do not know until an emissary from headquarters whispers the current day s instructions to a member of each gang. The union officials, when approached, declare that they know nothing, and that the whole business is arranged by the men themselves, but if such were the case, it is strange the men always act together whenever a line of action ,is taken. The following is a typical conversation which a “Star” reporter recently had with a watersider working on the Hurunui: — Watersider: Don’t be too hard on the watersiders regarding overtime Who said we won’t work overtime ? 1 am on the Hurunui and? I’m willing to work overtime. Reporter: But arc you going to work overtime to-night? Watersider: So fat as I know I am. I haven’t said I won’t. Reporter: The employers say you have . refused. Anyway ' you can’t blame the officials of the Union. They know nothing at all about it. Watersider ’ Who knows nothing nt all about it? Reporter: Mi’ Flood, the Union Secretary. Watersider: I’m full. up of the whole affair. Can you give me a job somewhere off the wharves? That evening the watersiders did not work overtime on the Hurunui, and it was apparent that when spoken to the watersider had not received his instructions for the day from the “runner” between headquarters and the men. The conversation sums up the position in Lyttelton day . after dav. Some nights, overtime will l.e worked, and on other nights it will not be worked.