Hiring Of Non – Union Labour On Waterfront

Northern Advocate, 31 October 1949, Page 6

Hiring Of Non - Union Labour On Waterfront

WELLINGTON, Mon. (P.A.)—The hiring of non-union labour to replace union members not available for overtime work on the waterfront will be carried on as in the past. This was stated today in the decision of the Waterfront Industry Commission on the dispute regarding the interpretation of the commission’s order as it applied to the engagement of non-union labour.

In the recent Wellington dispute the union alleged that there had been a breach of the rule stipulating that labbour must be engaged between the hours of 7.50 a.m. and 10 a.m. Auckland watersiders have refused to work overtime for some days unless they were requested to do so before 10 a.m. and the commission’s decision will also apply to that port. The decision stated that after hearing submissions from both the union and employers, the commission decided that non-union gangs should only be engaged after all union labour is absorbed, and at the place of engagement, provided that in an emergency the port committee may arrange for hiring non-union labour outside the hours of call and away from the place of engagement. Seamen may also be’engaged within the hours of call for work on their own ships. REPLACEMENTS Regarding replacements for men not working overtime, the commission decided that these must be effected: (1) By the transfer of union labour from jobs which finished that day and, (2> by the hiring of non-union labour in the manner customary in the past when it has been ascertained that no union labour is available. The comission will consider whether all non-union labour should be engaged by the labour engagement bureau The decision also states that membership of the port must be brought up to the maximum agreed limitation fixed by the port committee, which may decide if any increase in the limitation is required. WIIAT IT MEANS The order means that the employers have lost the right to hire complete gangs of non-union labour for a 6 p.m.

start on a ship that has been a full gang short. The Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union at a special stepwork meeting today accepted the decision and endorsed it subject to ratification by next month's biannual conference of the national council of the union. The Waterfront Employers' Association met today, when the decision was discussed, but no report was issued. A UCK LA NO MEETIN G The Auckland Watersiders’ Union at a stop-work meeting this morning endorsed a recommendation from the executive that they maintain their insistence on the replacement of labour for evening overtime being engaged between 8 and 10 a.m The shipping companies, on the other hand, are not. departing from thenpractice of making a call late in the afternoon. The meeting, which lasted just over an hour, is understood to have accepted another recommendation from the executive that gangs agree to work short-handed if necessary, provided the men receive payment on the basis of a complete gang. Non-union labour has been short of work since the dispute started. Many men have taken up other work until trie dispute ends. TAKE A HINT Non-unionists appear each morning at the Central Wharf for engagements. but only one or two return to waif for the late afternoon call. They appear to have taken a hint from the union that their attendance then is not appreciated. The companies have been engaging labour from outside sources. This happened on Friday night, but union men refused to work with them. It is understood that non-union labour will again be engaged Uiis afternoon to test the position.