No Overtime Work On Grey Wharf: Dispute Sequel

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 July 1950, Page 4

No Overtime Work On Grey Wharf: Dispute Sequel

Work on the two Union Company vessels in port at Greymouth, the Gabriella and Kaimiro, ceased at a o’clock yesterday, members of the Waterside Workers’ Union refusing overtime last night, as a sequel to a dispute which arose during the day in regard to the interpretation of a clause in the agreement. The dispute which, it is understood, concerns the transfer of men from one job to another and their rates of remuneration, did not cause any loss of working time during the day, but the men refused to work after 5 p.m., at overtime rates. “It was a provisional decision, over a dispute. The men worked normally during the day yesterday and again today, but they refused overtime last night,” said Mr A. J. Panther, secretary of the union, this afternoon when asked to comment on the situation. He added that it was only Union Company vessels which were affected and that he was not yet in a position to say whether the same set of circumstances would apply tonight as did last night. The dispute was before the Port Committee at Greymouth this mornintf but no settlement was reached. Negotiations, however were proceeding this afternoon. There were only the two Union Company vessels in port last night, but two smaller vessels belonging to other companies arrived this mornlt is understood that, if the dispute is not settled before 5 p.m., they are likely to get labour for overtime work, but that the watersiders will probably take the same action as they did last night in regard to two Union Company vessels.