CARGO HANDLING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20638, 19 August 1941, Page 3

CARGO HANDLING

SLOW AT AUCKLAND CONTRACTS WITHDRAWN COMMISSION'S ACTION (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The slow handling of cargo by the Auckland waterside workers has resulted in the withdrawal of the contract system by the Waterfront Control Commission. Recently a letter was received by the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union from the commission, containing a warning that if an improvement was not made, the contract systc-m would be withdrawn. After a discussion the union told the commission to go ahead and withdraw the system. “Some good work lias been done spasmodically under the contract system, but we are not satisfied with tiie group of the men,” said Mr. R. E. Price, chairman of the Waterfront Control Commission. “It is not desirable to say anything more at present.” The contract system has been in operation at Auckland since September. Under the system, the commission contracted with stevedoring companies to work cargo at certain rates for a minimum wage. If the output of work was more than that guaranteed for the time, the workers were to receive bonuses. “We did not welcome the contract system with open arms as the public were led to believe,” said Mr. IT. Barnes, the new president of the union. “We have been dissatisfied with the bonuses over the last few weeks which were, in fact, nil. For the rates, laid down and the work done we should have had substantial bonuses.”