“KEY TO VICTORY”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20493, 1 March 1941, Page 5

“KEY TO VICTORY”

BRITISH TRANSPORT “CHARTER” FOR DOCKERS GUARANTEED WAGES FASTER CARGO HANDLING (Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. 27. Explaining what he described as the “Dockers’ Charter” for the duration of the war, the Minister of Labour, Mr. Ernest Bevin, said: “Transport has now become the key to victory. Complete and effective organisation of transport will determine the duration of the struggle.” The scheme applies to dock labour at Merseyside, Manchester and Presand is calculated to secure a quicker tourn-round of ships in port. All registered dock .workers at specified ports will be employed by the Ministry of Transport on a guaranteed weekly basis combined, where possible, with payment by results from March 10.

Rates are being worked out by committees at the ports composed of representatives, of the Ministry of Transport, the workers’ union and of approved employers. Any man who accepts employment will be required to Work a minimum of 11 four-hour turns and be guaranteed payment for them by the Ministry of Transport working through the regional port director. A labour force of numbers of types of suitable men will be allocated by the port labour superintendent to “approved employers,” a term which includes master stevedores, master porters and the like. Mr. Bevin added that the scheme would be applied later to Clyde ports and its possible application to London is being considered.