EMPLOYERS' CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23599, 7 March 1940, Page 8

EMPLOYERS' CASE

ar OFFER TO FEDERATION UNION'S ACTION CRITICISED NO DIRECT NOTICE .GIVEN Criticism of the fact that tlie Auckland branch of the Waterside Workers Union had given no direct intimation of its decision to the Auckland Shipping and Stevedores' Association, even by the time for the overtime call at .'?.40 p.m. yesterday, was expressed by the chairman of the association, Captain R. S. Lewis, yesterday afternoon. Captain Lewis said that the first official intimation given employers of the union's intention not to work overtime was contained in a statement issued to the public.

"Not only have the employers offered the Waterside Workers' Federation a piecework system, namely, payment by results plus a bonus for despatch of ships, but they have also offered to submit and discuss any scheme, either their own or any that the federation could produce, with a view to improving waterfront conditions and expediting despatch of ships," said Captain Lewis. "Fast despatch of ships is now, of necessity, most urgent. "The employers, were met by the federation with a blank refusal to discuss or consider any scheme until the employers agreed to an immediate increase in the hourly wage rate. This matter was sub judice and in the hands of the Arbitration Court.

"The shipowners are not prepared to accept the responsibility for any increase in wages," Captain Lewis concluded. ' "The delay in the hearing of the case by the Arbitration Court is certainly no fault of the employers, who have endeavoured to expedite the hearing and have pressed the Government for assistance in this direction."

BOARD'S POWERS CONTROL OF LABOUR THE HANDLING OF CARGO COMMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN "Power to take over the handling of waterside labour on its wharves is vested in the Auckland Harbour Board and if necessary this power will be used," said the board chairman, Mr. W. B. Darlow, yesterday afternoon, referring to the refusal of the Waterside Workers' Union to work overtime. "It is not my intention at this juncture to apportion the blame, but 1 wish to point out to all concerned that the Harbour Board is taking a very serious view of the situation," Mr. Darlow continued. "Under this system, the port's assets of £5,500,000 are lying idle as a monument, and the board does not intend to sit by idly and see its up-to-date equipment rendered ineffective."

It had been the board's policy to keep out of disputes affecting cargo handling, but so many things had happened in the past year or so to slow down cargo work that-the board was now faced with the necessity of endeavouring to rectify the position. Everyone knew the importance of produce reaching England with the least possible delay, said Mr. Darlow. Berthage accommodation in the port had been severely taxed during the past year, and the board was constructing more facilities. This work of providing more accommodation for ships, however, was being nullified by the decisions of disputing parties. "Would it be asking too much in these critical days for the parties, to come together and agree on some method of beginning work on a ship when she ties up and working continuously in three shifts until she is cast off?" Mr. Darlow concluded. "If something on these lines could be agreed to, I am sure it would be in the interests of the port authorities, the shipping companies, and, most important of all, it would be tha contribution of those who are not able, for various reasons, to don a uniform to assist in our war effort. I trust that common-sense and loyalty* to our Empire will prevail."