2000 MEN WORK AUCKLAND SHIPS DAY AND NIGHT

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1949, Page 5

2000 MEN WORK AUCKLAND SHIPS DAY AND NIGHT

P.A. AUCKLAND. Aug 19. For the first night for exactly eight weeks, overtime between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. was worked by the members of the Auckland Branch of the Waterside Workers’ Union tonight. The task .of moving a great tonnage of cargoes that had accumulated during more than one week of idleness, began this morning, following Thursday's decision of. the national executive .of the union to end the dispute. About 2000 men, nearly 1700 of them union members, formed the port ilabour force. There are 11 oversea freighters at the wharves, and 18 other overseas and large coastal vessels are in port Overtime - is being worked to-night for the first time in n'early eight weeks Before resuming this morning, the unionists held a brief meeting to receive reports, and then in good humour went to the engagement bureau. There was a rush for engagement boards, and most discs were cleared by 8.30 a.m. There was such a heavy demand for labour to-day that all requirements could not be met. Only two gangs were available to work hatches of the Waiana, which has 1000 bags of potatoes on board. Discharge of 20,000 cases of bananas brought by the Matua from the Islands yesterday was started immediately. Sacks of South Island potatoes came ashore in the first sling from the freighter Waipori. They appeared to be in reasonable condition, notwithstanding a long time in the hold. Labour for to-morrow morning was requisitioned to-day in accordance with the usual practice. COMMISSION WANTED BACK Union representatives are to meet the Government next week to discuss the re-establishment of Commission control. Meanwhile, the Commission continues acting in an administrative capacity as employing agent for the shipping companies. Commission control, with its .guaranteed wage and cc-operative contract system, has not yet been restored to Auckland. This was a surprise to some watersiders, who thought that on resuming they would automatically qualify fox’ the old privileges. These were withdrawn by the suspension of the main order of the Commission, a few days after the men refused on June 27 to work evening overtime.