AUCKLAND WATERSIDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15503, 9 January 1914, Page 8

AUCKLAND WATERSIDERS.

AGREEMENT SIGNED,

LIBERAL TERMS GRANTED.

SPECIAL PREFERENCE

CLAUSE.

PROPOSED NEW UNION.

MOVEM EXT FORESTALLED.

About 1200 waterside™, numbers of the new waterside workers' union, held a meeting at mid-day yesterday, and formally approved of the terms of the agreement with tho employers under which they «re to work until June 30, 1916. By taking this step the new union has forestalled a move contemplated by members of the old watersiders' union, who have recently applied to have another watersiders' union registered, and who, it is believed, intended to approach the shipping companies and apply for another agreement. Although the lew watersiders' union had been in existence for two months, it had not entered into any agreement with the employers. It had, however, refused to allow a considerable number of members of the old union to become members, and the latter, deciding that there was no union of watersiders to which they could " conveniently belong," took the steps necessary to form another union, and made formal application for its registration. As there was no agreement between the new union and the employers, the old watersiders, as soon as their union was registered, might have served citation on the employers, asking for an agreement or an award of the Court. Negotiations with Employers. Hearing what was contemplated, however, the new union's executive lost no time in meeting the employers and drafting an agreement. On Wednesday, Messrs. G. Wood, A. Woodham, and S. Rickards, president, vice-president, and secretary respectively of the new union, met a committee of employers, and finally agreed on the terms of the draft agreement; and a general meeting was called, and with the consent of all concerned, the wharf workers were given an extra hour at dinner-time yesterday. The meeting, of which due notice had been given, was held between 1 and 2 p.m., and the agreement was approved of, and the three office-bearers named were authorised to sign it on behalf of the union.

There was no dissension of any kind, the meeting was entirely enthusiastic, and at its conclusion cheers were given by the men for the president, in acknowledgement of his services in securing such excellent terms from the employers. The new agreement, in most respects, is very much the same as that which was previously in existence between the old watersides and the shipping companies. In some directions, however, the conditions under which the men work .have been considerably improved. The same wages are to be paid, except that an increase of 2d per hour is allowed for handling manure in bulk, and Id per hour more for repair work on vessels, thus making the scale for repair work the some as that for working general cargo. Preference to Unionists.

Preference to members of the union was granted by employers, in accordance with rule 3of the union. The rule provides that any watersider or intending wateraider, of good character, who is not connected with the New Zealand United Federation of Labour or similar organisation opposed to the registration of unions under the Arbitration Act, shall be eligible for membership. By joining the union he shall be regarded as having agreed to abide by the rules of the union. At any time, the committee may call upon him to show that he is not connected with" the federation or a similar organisation, and if he fails to do this, or if his character or behaviour; in the opinion of the committee, renders him unworthy of membership, he may be expelled from the union. The employers have agreed to employ only union labour, when snob is available • where such is not available, and " members and non-members, are employed together, there shall be no distinction between them, and both shall receive equal pay for equal work; both shall work together in harmony, it being understood and agreed that any undesirable men who have been refused admission to the union shall not be employed." The employers are to recognise the union, and the union covenants that it will not, during the continuance of this agreement, take any steps for the cancellation of registration. Special preference has been granted by the employers to 451 men who joined the union before November 15. Other Provisions. The following clause, which was in the old agreement, has been re-embodied in the new.-— Men engaged to work within the limits of the Port of Auckland shall be paid from the Lime they leave the place of engagement up to the time they arrive back at this place, exclusive of meal hours and at the rates fixed for the class of labour they are engaged at." It has also been agreed that travelling time shall be paid for at ordinary rates. A new clause has been added to the effect that any worker who has been engaged, and who fails to commence work within one hour of the appointed time, shall, at the discretion of the union, be liable to a fine not exceeding 10s, the amount of the fine to go to the funds of the union.

The " place of engagement " was fixed at the waterside workers' waiting-room, in F shed; it was agreed that wages shall be payable on Fridays; and the term of the agreement is to be from January 17. 1914 to June 30, 1916. ' ' Before a strike is declared, it must be agreed to by a four-fifths majority of voters, the vote must be taken at a secret ballot, and the employers must be given six weeks' notice of the strike.