LATE NEWS WATERSIDERS’ CASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1946, Page 7

LATE NEWS WATERSIDERS’ CASE

A “LIFE-AND-DEATH” STRUGGLE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 6. “So far as we are concerne_d this is a life and death struggle for the preservation of our union existence,” said the secretary of the Wellington. Branch of the Watersiders’ Union, Mr. E. A. Napier, in a statement to-day on the effect of the recent decision of the commission. ’ .. _ -• Mr. Napier paid particular attention to the amendments to old conditions affecting conditions of work and said those amendments struck at the heart of the security and protection that the union organisation afforded .its members. '

“And Insidious Attack.” , “We support commission control and we know that by reasonable cooperation that system otcqntrol.could function,” he said. “If an insidious attack is made at the very basis of our organisation under the cover of a friendly hand, we are compelled to fight a life-and-death struggle. That is how serious the situation is. It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister did not have the union case before he expressed his opinion, as he states, that the future of the commission is at stake. We state that the very existence of the union is at stake.” The position was that although the recent order in relation to the guaranteed wage made provision for certain payments for daily attendance, the union was not satisfied, but considered the decision certainly improved the situation. The basis of the monthly guarantee might mean nothing to the major ports, but it did establish a principle with which the union concurred.

“At that point, there is a basis for negotiation,” he said. “What is not apparent to those not understanding the implications of the order is that the proposed amendments to clause 17 A and 17 B of the order strike at the heart of the security which the organisation affords the workers and at something we have held for 30 years.” What Clauses Provide. He explained that clause 17A provided that a man starting a job should finish the job for which he was engaged or any other job to which he might be transferred, and 178 provided that the job for which, a man was engaged should be stated at the time of engagement and should be limited by the employer to the ship hatch, wharf or lighter named. “If they are to effect relaxation on those clauses, then any of the improvements gained over recent years will be nullified,” he said. “This position is not readily understood by those not fully conversant and attempts are being made to make it appear that the watersiders are refusing some.gift offered to them. [The reason.for the tenacity displayed by the employers in holding to the commission 'decision should be self-evident.”

CONFLICTING REPORTS ON AZERBAIJAN (Recd. 3.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5: The Azerbaijan Premier (Mr. Pishevari), broadcasting on the Tabriz radio said: “The Persian Army has again launched an attack on an unprecedented scale with tanks and grenades near Tazekhan. We have repelled the attack, but there were heavy casualties on both sides.” Reuter’s Teheran correspondent quotes a military spokesman as saying there was no fighting at Tazekhan. / The correspondent adds that reliable eye-witness reports, said there was complete calm in Tazekham yesterday and on. Tuesday. Irregular cavalry of the Persian Army yesterday captured Rejin, a tiny mud-hut village on the Azerbaijan border, says the Associated Press Zenjan correspondent. The Government’s main forces are concentrated at Tazekhan about 12 miles from the border and are across the main road and railway.