WATERFRONT WORK BEING HELD UP

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 23, 19 August 1932, Page 5

WATERFRONT WORK BEING HELD UP

No Response Made to Call for Labour Under New Terms EXPIRY OF OLD AWARD v SEVERAL PORTS ARE AFFECTED h ''■''' ■ - Meeting of Shipowners Held in Wellington? Press Association.—Convright. WELLINGTON, Tp;day.—When ' waterfront labour was called for at 7.45 a.m. to-day under the new' conditions, none was offering. At midnight the Dominion award under which the waterside workers have been working for some years ceased to operate. As no new agreement has been made, the shipowners sought this morning to put into force the terms of the proposed agreement, which was submitted to a secret ballot by the watersiders and rejected by an overwhelming majority.

Two further calls for labour on the waterfront were made later, but they met with no response. A meeting of shipowners is being held. About ten coastal and' ferry steamers require labour at Wellington. Neither officials of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Federation, nor those of the Wellington Union would make a statement yesterday. Unsuccessful Negotiations

The waterside workers' award, which lapsed last night, has been in force since October 25, 1929, the term being for two years, which ended on October 24, 1931. For several months past representatives of the employers and Waterside Workers' Union have met in Wellington in an endeavour to frame a new agreement acceptable to both parties, but without success. The matter has also been discussed by the parties before a Conciliation Council. Certain modifications to their or-

iginal terms were made by the employers, and finally they submitted a proposed agreement to the waterslue workers. The terms of this agreer'ment were submitted to a secret balj lot, taken by the waterside workers '"all over New Zealand, and rejected by i an overwhelming majority.

Tire result of the ballot was announced at a final meeting of the Conciliation Council, and the failure of the council proceedings resulted in the award lapsing in accordance with the amendments to the Arbitration Act passed last session. A Gazette notice that the award had expired was published on July 21, and the month's grace allowed after concellation expired last nighi. NO WORK AT WESTPORT Press Association. —OoDjrrlght. WESTPORT, To-day.—There was no response to the call for labour on the waterfront this morning. The Komata the only ship in port, and It is understood she may sail to-night. DIFFICULTY AT GISBORNE Press Association. —Copyright. GISBORNE, To-day.—The first .Indication of difficulty on the Gisborne waterfront was given when a call was made for a small gang to handle the lighters released from the lightering contract in connection with the liner Union labour was not offering on the new i terms and no further effort will be made to fill the jobs to-day.