STRIKE OF WATEESIDERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16434, 10 January 1917, Page 6

STRIKE OF WATEESIDERS

POSITION AT NAPIER.

BOTH SIDES DETERMINED.

QUESTION OF NEW AWARD.

[BT TELEGRAPH.—OWX CORRESPONDENT.) NAPIER. Tuesday. In connection with the refusal of the waterside workers here to load mutton on a steamer, it is explained that according to the last award a " mutton gang" consists of eight men to work in the hold of a liner, but vesterday morning the men who had been "told off to work the steamer demanded that an extra two men should be provided for each gang. The -hipping company definitely refused to agree to the demands of the men, and as no labour was procurable the frozen meat in the Koutunui was return-id to the store. The watersiders unloaded the lighters but refused to work on the liner. The Waterside Workers' Award ended on December 50, 1916, but according to an agreement it, was to remain in force until a new award was framed. Attitude of Parties. Labour men pointed out to-day that if the demand had been agreed to it would only have resulted in a few pounds' extra expenditure. The workers had no objection to handling Government meat or wool, provided the Government controlled the loading, under the .Id terms, but should the operation be controlled by others the new demands would be persisted in. The reason for so doing was the inexperience of some of the men and the increased size of carcases. The employers contend that an agreement was made to continue under the old award till such time as a new one wr\s framed, also that had the men approached them in a businesslike manner the strike would not have occurred, as some decision would have been arrived at to the satisfaction of both parties- Both parties express themselves as determined not to give way, and so long as this continues there is little possibility of leading operations taking place on liners at this port. Storage Accommodation. The scene on the waterfront was very quiet. There is ample storage accommodation for mutton at each of the works, and this has to some extent relieved the position. At one time on Monday it was proposed to raise gangs of clerks, etc., to work the meat, but the men on the tenders then threatened to strike, and the scheme was abandoned. A confer mce between the parties takes place to-morrow. WELLIHGTOir HEN'S ATTITUDE. REFUSAL TO WORK STEAMER. [BT TELEGRAPH. —PBES3 ASSOCUHOS.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The steamer which left Napier yester*ay without loading her intended cargo of meat, owing to a dispute with the waterside workers, reached Wellington this afternoon.' Prior to her arrival a call was made for men to work her, but none came forward, the explanation being that they were waiting for effkiid details as to the Napier trouble. ' -