THE STOP-WORK MEETING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 9

THE STOP-WORK MEETING

SHIPWRIGHTS EXPLAIN THEIR GRIEVANCES.! DISPUTE PUT ;iN HANDS OF : FEDERATION. About one thousand men attended tho meeting which was held at 8 a.m. to consider the shipwrights’ grievances and claims, and the question of travelling time for slip workers at Evans Bay. Mr E. Curtice, president of tho Waterside Workers’ Union, occupied the chair, and after explaining the objects of tho meeting invited tho shipwrights’ representatives to explain their grievances. BEGINNING OF THE TROUBLE. Mr Langdon, secretary of tho branch, said that tho beginning of the whole trouble was that the men’s time was stopped for travelling to and from the potent slip; a concession which tho men had enjoyed for forty years. Meetings had been held to discuss the matter, and when the Union Steamship Company was approached it declined to continue the practice. Further than that, the company refused to recognise the shipwrights as a union. Finding that they could not get any redress, the Union agreed to join tho Waterside Workers’ Union, and although tho agreement made was primarily for the waterside workers, it was acceptable to the shipwrights, and it was adopted auhject to shipwrights’ trade conditions. The agreement was not new, and was already in existence on tho Waterfront. Mr W. A. Kennedy, local manager of tho Union Company, had declined to recognise the shipwrights as a part of tho Waterside Workers’ Union. After two conferences with the company, the workers only received an additional penny per hour, an increase which they held was insufficient. As the counter-proposals by fth© employers were entirely unacceptable to the shipwrights, they had ao alternative but to come out. Another member of tho union said that the combination of employers against tho men had forced the shipwrights’ hands. The trouble really commenced over three years ago when an endeavour was mado to force the men to work on tho Prince of Wales’ Birthday. Tho men were advised not to break their agreements, but how about tho employers and the shipwrights? REFERRED TO FEDERATION OF LABOUR. Mr P. Hickey, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, who stated ho was present at the suggestion of some of the officials, advised that the whole matter should be referred to tho Federation of Labour. He believed that if this course was, pursued, an agreement suitable to tho shipwrights could be arrived at. The suggestion was warmly received. Mr A. Lindsay then moved— That this dispute bo put in the hands of the Federation of Labour with the necessary officials of the shipwrights and the president of the Waterside Workers’ Union, with a riew to a settlement of the dispute. Mr H. H. Simmons explained how tho dispute had been treated by tho employers. It was decided to leave tho matter entirely iu tho hands of the federation. CONFIDENCE IN LEADERS. Mr Stapleton pointed out that il was alleged that tho men were misled by their officials. This was not the case, and ho moved— That tho union has the fullest confidence in our executive and officials.

Ono of the members explained that the union acted entirely on its own initiative, and that the motion to stop work was moved and seconded by members who were not officials, and was carried unanimously by 200 members. The president declined to accept a motion that tho meeting take direct action and pledge itself to reduce the output of labour by 50 per cent. His reason was that this was contrary to the rules governing strikes. Tho motion by Mr Stapleton was carried unanimously. Tho meeting then adjourned.