SHIPS IDLE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21185, 4 November 1938, Page 8

SHIPS IDLE

Auckland Waterfront Trouble

Starting Time In Dispute Conferences Fruitless By Telegraph—Press Assoclat’on AUCKLAND, November 3. As a result of the refusal of members of the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union to handle cargo on the Union Company’s ships Waiana and Kaiiniro unless claims concerning starting time and wages were settled, work ceased on both vessels to-day. Conferences between the Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association and representatives of the Union yielded no result, and intimating that the award provided for the settlement of all disputes on constitutional lines without a stoppage of work, the Association announced that no further labour will be engaged on the waterfront until the terms of the award are complied with. At the conclusion of the conferences, the president of the Waterside Workers’ Union (Mr R. G. Jones) stated that he did not regard the position as serious. He added that a meeting of the Union would be held to-morrow morning, and he hoped that an early solution would be found for the disputes. An explanation of the disputes was given this afternoon in a statement issued by Captain Lewis, chairman of the Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association. It was stated that on Wednesday, the day of the usual monthly meeting of the waterside workers, six gangs were ordered for 10 a.m. at the Waiana, there being no room for more until 63 motor-cars had been discharged. Three additional gangs were ordered to start at 1 pan., but at 1 p.m, the original six gangs and the three extra gangs all refused to turn to unless all hands were paid from 10 am. The ship was closed up, but started again at 8 o’clock this morning. Statement Issued Dealing with the dispute on the Kaimiro, the statement said that at 8 a.m. to-day, owing to rain, eight gangs were ordered for a 9 a.m. start, but when the men arrived on the job they refused to turn to unless they were paid from 8 a.m. A local disputes’ committee meeting was held this morning, when the employers and the Union failed to reach any agreement on the dispute on the Waiana. At 1 o’clock this afternoon the men engaged for the Waiana refused to continue work. “The employers are not concerned in these cases with the disputes.” the statement added, “for there is adequate and expensive machinery available to deal with such matters. However, they are very concerned with the direct action taken by the men, apparently backed up by their executive. As the essence of the waterside workers’ award is that the work of the employers shall continue at all times, and that all disputes shall be settled on constitutional lines, it is decided that no further labour will be engaged on the Auckland waterfront until the terms of the award are complied with.” The effect of the Association’s decision will be that until work is resumed on the Waiana and the Kaimiro, ,no labour will be engaged to handle cargo on incoming ships when they reach port. No other ships at present at the wharves will be affected, although they -will not be able to employ any additional gangs. The Waiana has general cargo from southern ports and is berthed at Princes Wharf, and the Kaimiro, at King’s Wharf, has cargo from Australia. Both vessels were originally scheduled to leave Auckland to-morrow. No large overseas or .coastal ships will reach Auckland to-morrow, but an influx is expected here at the weekend.