Overtime Still Refused On Lyttelton Wharves

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23288, 24 June 1950, Page 3

Overtime Still Refused On Lyttelton Wharves

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH. June 24. Watersiders at Lyttelton -.vno refused to work last evening and this morning were dismissed yesterday afternoon and placed on a two-day penalty. The present is the fourth week-end on which they have refused to work, their action being taken as a protest against the delay in starting the building to be used as a waiting hall and dining rooms.

Mr. F. Balchan, secretary of the Lyttelton branch of the union, said that the men, in conformity with the resolution carried recently, declined to work overtime after 5 p.m. yesterday or on Saturday morning and were dismissed by the employers. The delegate on each ship had been told individually with a request to convey the decision to the men concerned that they would be placed on the two-day penalty unless they accepted work. “This is the fourth week-end in succession that the Lyttelton Waterside Workers’ Union has refused the orders of the employers for Friday night and, or, Saturday work at vessels, said Mr, W. F. Sillars, secretary of the Lyttelton Waterside Employers’ Association. “The position was fully discussed with the union last Friday when, at the request of the union, the shiping companies deferred for one week their intention of dismissing labour that did not accept such orders to allow the union every opportunity to consider and rectify this position. “When the Friday night and Saturday orders were not accepted yesterday afternoon the labour was dismissed and reported to the labour bureau for penalty.”