“CAN BE SETTLED”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22210, 21 December 1946, Page 4

“CAN BE SETTLED”

WHARF JMSPUTE NEGOTIATION SOUGHT MR. FRASER'S ATTITUDE (PA.) WELLINGTON. Dec. 21. “In response to your request at a conference with your organisation on Thursday morning I am sending this letter setting out the decision of the Government in regard to the present industrial position on the waterfront of the Dominion,” the Prime Minister States in a letter addressed to Mr. T. Hill, secretary of the New Zealand Watersiders’ Union.“The present conditions, I am advised, arose after the failure of the employers and workers’ representatives on the Waterfront Industry Commission to agree to the decision on the guaranteed wage and attendance money claim made by your organisation, resulting in the decision being left with the chairman, Mr Justice Ongley. The decision of the chairman, which was in the nature of a pronouncement setting out general principles on the subjects referred to, was issued on November 26. Further Discussions Needed

“The pronouncement is not effective until such time as alterations are made to the commission’s order, which would require further discussions with all members of the commission. “Following on the pronouncement it appears that action was immediately taken by certain branches of your union to limit hours of work to a five-day 40-hour week, without any attempt being made to discuss the matter either with the Government or the commission. Had representations been made by your organisation to the Government at that time discussions could immediately have been arranged with a view to examining the effect of the pronouncement. “No order has yet been made, and these discussions can still be held. “I am advised that at a meeting of the commission held on December 4 following the publication of the chairman’s pronouncement, Mr. Barnes, on behalf of the national executive of your organisation, tabled a statement which he affirmed set out the minimum demands of your union. These demands, as submitted in writing to the commission, were: "(1) A satisfactory decision on the guaranteed daily wage. “(2) Wage increases to restore the position as laid down by the Court of Arbitration, whereby waterside workers receive 25 per cent above the hourly rate of unskilled workers. *(3) Immediate improvements in accommodation and amenities. (This has been an outstanding grievance for many years and has been pressed continously for the past six years.) *(4) Abolition of Saturday engagements. Better Than Union’s Claims “From an examination of the files it appears to me that the chairman’s pronouncement on the guaranteed wage grants to the waterside workers conditions better than those asked for in the union’s claims. The pronouncement provides for a minimum payment of £25 lor each period of four weeks to A grade workers and £2l to B grade workers, in addition to any bonus earned under the co-operative system. “While these guaranteed payments may not be very costly to the water-, front industry at the present time in the main ports, they do provide immediate and substantial benefits to workers at secondary ports. They also guarantee a minimum income at all times. * “It was stated by Mr. Barnes at the conference on Thursday that a worker absent one day in the four-weekly period would lose his guarantee of £25, but I am advised by the chairman of the commission that while no conditions have been laid down governing the payment of the guaranteed wage, he does not consider that a worker should, or would, be penalised in- the way mentioned by Mr. Barnes. "It is also proposed to make due allowance for unavoidable absence on the part of workers during days in the four-weekly period. Attendance money, I am advised, will be a valuable additional benefit to the workers, and this alone is estimated to’ amount to "approximately £40,000 per annum. Mr. Barnes also stated that a waterside worker could work sufficient time to enable him to earn over £6OO per anuum, and still fail to qualify for the payment of a full two weeks’ annual holiday. The Government is of the opinion that the waterside workers should be in a no worse position than the average worker in regard to holidays, and it believes- that the matter is easily capable of settlement. Annual Holidays Anomalies “I have been informed by the commission that your representatives have been invited to make proposals to correct any anomalies in regard to annual holidays, and that these proposals will receive sympathetic consideration. Any anomaly with regard to the qualification for payment for statutory holidays would also be considered.

“The Government is of the opinion ih connection with holiday pay that the waterside workers should be in a position not less favourable than other workers, and also that reasoned discussion will produce practical results to ensure this end. "The claim for wage increases to restore the position as laid down by the Court of Arbitration Arbitration in 1922 has, f am advised, not previously been raised with the present commission. In fact, I am informed that the claim of your organisation was for a wage increase of a half-penny an hour, from 3/5 J to 3/6 per hour. •‘I am also advised that the basis adopted by the Arbitration Court in 1922 was departed from by the Waterfront Control Commission to enable it to grant an increase in wages of two pence per hour in June. 1940, as the average hours of work had increased to such an extent that the 25 per cent, formula adopted by .the Court in 1922 was not applicable. “The claim also mentions improvements in accommodation and amenities. As you know, the provision of waiting rooms at the main ports is the responsibility of the [larbour boards concerned, and representations have been made to the harbour boards at Auckland and Lyttelton to improve the existing accommodation. The Government will do everything possible .to facilitate the provision of modern accommodation at the ports mentioned, including canteen facilities. Accommodation Improvements “Improvements in accommodation and amenities, including modern waiting rooms, have already been provided at Napier, Westport, and Greymouth at a cost of approximately £30,000 and plans and specifications have been prepared, or are in course of preparation, for buildings at Nelson and Bluff. “With regard to the abolition of Saturday engagements this claim. I am advised, was submitted ,in the union proposals, but I understand it was agreed that the four main claims of the union, namely, statutory holidays, meal money, time and a-half for Saturday morning and the guaranteed wage, would first be considered by the comhnission before numerous other subsidiary claims were dealt with. ‘‘As you are aware, up to the present it has not been possible for the commission to consider the remaining claims of your organisation. Arrangements with regard to Saturday engagements are, however, a matter which couid be given careful and early consideration. and I have no doubt that an agreement satisfactory to all parties could be reached.

“Other tnan the position as already set out the facts are that the present form of the commission was appointed in response to the request of your unio n following similar requests received from the shipping companies. When the commission was appointed both the workers and employers’ representatives offered their full co-operation and goodwill in the management of the inSustry, and it was expected under this set-up that the orders and decisions of the commission would be observed by both parties. commission was appointed to

expedite the dispatch of shipping, and to prevent and settle disputes on the waterfront. If the authority of the commission is not to be observed, then it cannot carry out its functions, is serving no useful purpose and it will be necessary to suspend its powers. Effect of Suspension “This will, mean a suspension of all orders and decisions made by the Waterfront Control Commission and .the Waterfront Industry Commission, and will entail the abandonment of the co-operative contracting system and numerous other benefits granted to your members.

“Your representatives yesterday at the conference stated that the present dispute is one between the union and the shipping companies, but under commission control of the waterfront it becomes a dispute in which is Government is automatically involved, and while the commission remains in existence the Government will uphold its authority. “If normal hours of work are resumed the chairman of the commission advises me that he will make immediate arrangements for consideration by the commission of the effect of the pronouncement before any orders are made. If normal work is not resumed, the Government will have no option but to suspend the powers and authorities of the commission.

“The Government would regret to be compelled to take .this step, and I trust that your executive and members will give serious consideration to the offer of Mr.. Justice Ongley to hear representations at once from your organisation with regard to the guaranteed wage and other matters referred to in the pronouncement. v “This meeting could immediately follow the resumption of work in accord with the existing rules governing the waterfront.”