WANGANELLA REPAIRS SPECIAL PAY CLAIMS BEING DISCUSSED

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 5

WANGANELLA REPAIRS SPECIAL PAY CLAIMS BEING DISCUSSED

P.A. WELLINGTON, March 21. Preliminary discussions with the object of resolving the deadlock over the Wanganella, which has been “black” to shore workers since February 20, pending a decision on claims to special payment, were held in Wellington to-day. The Union representatives agreed, at the instance of the Government, to resume negotiations with representatives of the employers. The Union representatives appointed for the new discussions are the National Secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, Mr T. Hill; the Secretary of the Wellington Boilermakers 1 ’ Union, Mr P. E. Warner, and the Secretary of the Wellington Engineers’ Union. Mr C. G. Caswell.

A Union spokesman said the Minister of Labour, Mr McLagan, had asked Union representatives to meet him this morning to review the situation. Eleven Union officials, representing the boilermakers, watersiders, shipwrights, engineers, carpenters', painters, harbour employees. and plumbers waited on the Minister. They consented to appoint three representatives to meet an equivalent number of employers’ representatives this afternoon. Should there be no agreement on the terms, the Government would be prepared to establish a tribunal under the Strikes and Lockouts Emergency Regulations', if the negotiators agreed upon that course.

The spokesman added that the men had been blamed for holding up the ship. He considered that the'men had not refused duty, as they had net been asked to return until yesterday, when William Cable and Company had asked the Boilermakers' Union to instruct its members to resume within 24 hours.