HARBOUR BOARD ACTION

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

HARBOUR BOARD ACTION

LABOUR 10 BE ENGAGED NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN FREE WORKERS AND UNIONISTS. The trouble on the wharf was considered by the Harbour Board last evening, when it was decided to engage any suitable labour offering. The chairman (Mr R. Fletcher) explained the nature of the positionthat the Shipwrights' (Workers) Union had demanded an increase- of svages and certain other concessions from tho employers—the Union Steam Ship Co., S. Wood and Son, and the Harbour Board. The troublo had been boforo the board some time ago, when the position was considered, and a letter was sent to the union stating that tho board was willing to pay the ruling .rages in whatever agreement was <!ome to. The Shipwrights' Union became incorporated with the Waterside Workers' Union subsequently to the agreement made with them eighteen months ago. The speaker interviewed Mr Farland, secretary of the union, m Tuesday, and pointed out to him hat he was acting wrongly in calling the meeting of workers (held yesterday' morning). The union never approachid the board in any way regarding the trouble that was on. He read the agreement, which was to have been binding on both parties, and he remarked that it was for a long time a one-party agreement. JTho essence of it. was that work should not bo impeded, and if any dispute arose it was to bo referred to* a committee compos cd of representatives of both parties. He had pointed out to Mr Farland that even at the eleventh hour it would be possible to bring about something thai would be fair to everybody. Mr Farland left him, with the intention, he said, of seeing something done, but the Rpeaker had not seen him since. After formal application had been made for work to be resumed, and there being no response, the wharf officials had his instructions to procure labour. They were not very successful in getting labour, and had been carrying on under a big handicap. PERMANENT HANDS LOYAL. Since the recent troublo with t the permanent men, continued Mr Fletcher, there had been some doubt about how they would act with the board, but on this occasion they had been loyal and each had done his best, which was very good. He thought the board would bo glad to know that tho pei inanenfc employees had acted loyally. He told tho board's wharfinger, Mr Munro, to toll the men on Tuesday that on the following day tbey mighi have to perform the work of the wharf labourers. The following letter had now been drawn up on behalf of tho permanent men and forwarded to the speaker;— Wellington, October 21st, 1913. The executive of the Wellington Harbour Board's Permanent Employees' Association, having considered tho action of tho Waterside Workers' Union in proposing to hold a "stop work" meeting of said union on Wednesday, 22nd inst., at 8 a.m., are of the opinion that riie proposed action is unnecessary and illadvised. Wo therefore call on all our members to loyally carry out any work which they may bo assigned. (Signed) L. D. Browne (president), S. Martin (vice-president), John Bailey (vice-president), E. Rossiter (secretary), W. Crombie (treasurer), JP. Jenkins, J. G. Gregory, C. A. McKcnzie, J. W. Bailey, and H. Cartwright (members of committee). CHAIRMAN'S POWERS. Continuing, the chairman said that the permanent employees would carry on the work. Tho board was faced with the difficulty that it would be hampered in carrying on for a few days, but ho could give tho assurance that every fair and legitimate effort would be made by himself and tho officials to get tho work done. Even the president of the union had told him that if the men did not return to work the agreement would be broken, and they would have to stand by the result. The speaker would do his'du' in safeguarding the interests of the board and the employers; at the same time, he would not take any drastic or unnecessary steps that would cause disorder. -Mr C. W. Jones: "Will the board take on any labour it can get?" The chairman: "Yes." Mr M. Cohen: "Do you require a resolution on this matter?"

Tho chairman; “Not as far as I myself am concerned.” THE PUBLIC CONVENIENCE. Mr Cohen said an expression of opinion should come from the board giving its views ou the position. He cordially approved of the statement mado by the chairman and the action he had taken. He hoped that members would cause tho chairman to fee! that he had tho entire weight of the board to enable bim _ to maintain a firm stand against tho ill-advised, .arrogant attempt made to flout the employers and show contempt for public convenience- He trusted that the trouble would soon be terminated. Tho management of the affair was so ill-advised and improper that by its own weight it must fall, as it could not have behind it the assurance of public opinion and approbation. There was ono outstanding feature, and that was the very worthy stand taken by the board’s own employees, and as he was ono of the. first to speak in deprecation of their lapse of a few weeks ago, ho would like to he one of the first to record his cordial appreciation of their action in this matter. If the chairman required any resolution to strengthen his hands, he would be pleased to move it. Mr C. El. Danioll said he wished to express tho view of the country members and rbeir appreciation of the efc„ ts tho chairman. It did seem unfortunate that the most strenuous advocate of tho men’s interests should himself bo flouted as ho had been. He felt that Mr Fletcher had been a consistent advocate of tb© best interests of labour and had given it all the help he could—in fact, the speaker sometimes inought tho chairman inclined rather too much towards the men. He deserved the sympathy of tho board in this matter. STATUS OF WORKERS. Mr J. G. Cobho asked if the board found it necessary to employ free labour, what would be tho position of men who came to the board in the future —would it stand by them and give them employment? Tho chairman; “That is a matter for tho board to decide, and I think it will do that. I believe the bulk of tho men are anxious to go to work. Five men came to me at a quarterpart eight this morning and said that they wanted to go to work. It is the officials who led the men \ into this blunder.” Mr A. McFarlano said the hoard should take any free labour it could get. There was no agreement now, and the hoard was at liberty to take any men who came along. As for getting free labour it was at short notice, but the board could procure it, even if it had to send to the country. ■ Mr J. Trevor said he was pleased tho chairman had adopted tho method he had reported; where Harbour Board interests were concerned, ho would look after them in preference t© any outside body. The speaker appreciated what Mr Fletcher had done, and would subscribe to any resolution embodying the board's approval of his past services and giving him any assistance they could. The chairman said he saw his duty clearly, and took it upon himself to carry on the business and hold tho scales of justice evenly between the men and the public, and ho would do that right thrqugh. THE BOARD’S INTENTIONS. Tho following motion was moved by Mr Cohen and seconded by Mr McFarlane: That the statement made by the cliairman on the present trouble in connection with the waterside workers be cordially approved by tho board, and that this board will stand firmly by him in any action which may be necessary in resisting the demands now made, even to the extent of temporary cessation of activity on the wharves, and that any suitable labour be engaged as long as is necessary. Mr Cobbe asked if it was to bo understood that free workmen engaged by the board would not only, be protected, but be employed regularly in the future. Tho chairman said he wag not in favour of that course, because if a hundred men applied the board would have to keep them on whether' it wanted them or not. He thought that question could bo left in the hands of the officials. MODERATE POLICY. Mr A. H. Hindmarsh said tho board might learn a lesson from what had been done on the last occasion. There were some of the members who did not want any extreme steps to bo taken, and their advice at that time was followed, and it was the best advice, as subsequent events showed. Some members wanted very extreme resolutions passed, but the chairman and some other members advocated a more reasonable way. He did not wish to criticise tho motion, but he hoped the board would not do anything to provoke antagonism. The chairman: “I can give you my word for that,” Mr Hindmarsh: “I regret there has been any reference to free labour. If ■possible wo should have offered labour to unionists first.” The chairman: “We have done that.” Mr Hindmarsh said he would bo sorry to seo any animosity and trouble created that would last for a long time. The chairman was following a moderate course, and was exercising a restraining influence on both sides. The chairman: “I will do what is fair, and everything possible for good work and good order.” When tho motion given above was first drafted it contained the words “free labour,” but at this stage it n-as mutually agreed to substitute “suitable labour.” Tho chairman stated that the wharfinger had instructions to offer work and ho would make no distinction between those who were unionists and those who wero not. Ho took it that the board recognised no union now, and the agreement had ceased to exist. Mr Cohen stated that it was never his intention to do anything that would create animosity. The chairman had expressed the speaker’s own view, that if a unionist liked to come forward he would have a chance. Tha motion was carried unanimously. SHIPOWNERS’ ACTION. Tho. chairman, referring to tho meeting of sbiuowners hold in the afternoon, stated that he had declined to vote until such time as he had authority from the hoard. He read tho resolution passed by the owners, which is published under another heading. He had agreed to go on the shipowners’ committee, subject to the board consenting. A motion formally endorsing the resolution of the shipowners was moved by the chairman, seconded by Mr Cohen, and rarriod. The board also

agreed to the chairman’s acting on the committee. BREACH OF RULES. In regard to the “ stop work ” meeting, the chairman reported that it had been held under a breach of the rules, having taken place m the waitingroom during working hours. He had protested to the men, and they had confessed they were m the wrong in this respect. The board roust see that a similar breach did not occur in the future. On the motion of Mr Cohen, the matter was left in the hands of the chairman. On the recommendation of the wharves and accounts committee, the Harbour Board last evening decided to grant the request of the Wellington Harbour Board Permanent Employees’ Association for recognition by the board.