WATERSIDE WORKERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 6 September 1911, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS.

A PATEA COMPLAINT. (Per Proas Association.) Wellington, September 5. : Mr G., Smith (Patea) said there was discontent among the members of the Patea branch with the award they ate .working under since the strike in December , last. The only alteration Secured was an improvement in the hours of. work; consequently they had cancelled their registration under the Arbitration Act, and declined to sign the present agreement! , Feeling was a)so strong bcause the railwaymen who had struck in sympathy with the water sidot workers had not been reinstated, ' though the inference was that would- ; ;be tbkcklegs were being employed in stead. Application had been made to the Minister, who replied he would not recognise any union. Unionists objected to work alongside Government blacklegs. Before the matter was settled it would become a question of unionists against non-unionists. A resolution was carried to write to the Minister qf Railways protesting against his inconsistency in protecting one class in Lyttelton, enabling them to form a close corporation, and assisting non-unionists in Patea, by refusing to recognise any union there. They further asked the Minister to Reinstate the men dismissed, at Patea.