WATERFRONT TROUBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19761, 7 October 1927, Page 10

WATERFRONT TROUBLE.

DEADLOCK AT NAPIER.

CARGO HANDLING DELAYED.

FIRM STAND BY EMPLOYERS.

[Br TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NAPIER, Thursday.

A dispute arose at Port Ahuriri to-day between waterside ' workers and the employers as to the number of men necessary for each gang to work the Richardson coastal steamer Pakura. The watersiders wanted six men for each gang, and the employers were willing to engage only four- Endeavours to bring about an agreement failed, and the result was that the Pakura remained in port all the afternoon without a start being made with the discharge of her cargo. The Pakura arrived in the bay at 11 o'clock this morning from Wellington and was to go into the inner harbour at 2.30 p.m. to commence her discharge. A call to engage the men was made at 1 p.m., four gangs being required. The men, however, insisted on six men being engaged for each gang, although in accordance with the award the number necessary is left to the discretion of the employers. This clause was inserted in the award because there are times when more men are required to work a vessel than at others. In this instance the employers proposed to engage four men for each gang, to work the cargo, including the handling of drums of benzine. However, the men insisted on six for each gang, and would not accept work unless .six were put on. A deadlock was thus reached.

Later in the afternoon representatives of the two parties concerned met in conference, following which the union representatives went hack to the men. This was at 4 p.m., but the men still declined to aocept any engagement until the employers conceded their demand. That is how matters now stand.

From the employers' point of view there is going to be a hold-up of work on the Napier waterfront until the men agree to abide by the terms of the award. Until they do that no more union labour is to be engaged. The matter has been referred to Wellington, and it is the intention of the employers, if the men do not accept the terms of the award, to turn their attention to the engagement of ncn-union labour, of which in these days of unemployment there is plenty available.

Fortunately there is very little shipping working the port at the present time. To-morrow morning the men will be given a further opportunity of returning to duty, when another call to work the Pakura will be made.