AUCKLAND WATERSIDE WORKERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12857, 28 January 1913, Page 5

AUCKLAND WATERSIDE WORKERS

PROPOSE TO TAKE A D#Y OFF FOR A FUNERAL.

FINALLY DECIDE TO TAKE HALF A DAY.

STATEMENT BY UNION PRESI-

DENT.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Jan.JJ. The managers of the principal "shipping companies received notification horn the Auckland Waterside Work-

era' Union this morning that no work would be done on the wharves to-mor~ tat* between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., on account of the funeral of Charles Clyne, a-member of the union, who died at the District Hospital yesterday as the result of injuries received through being struck by a bale of kapoc in the hold of tho steamer Waihora on Thursday. It is realised that the men immediately concerned in the accident would naturally like to attend the funeral, but the shipping companies are at <a loss to understand why three hundred odd members of the union , the majority of whom are working on vessels in no way connected with the Waihora, should have decided to cease work. -

In speaking on the matter, a local manager said the action of the "Waterside Workers' Union was in distinct contravention to the articles of agreement, under which they were working. Notification had" certainly been treceived from the union officials in May last stating that in the event of a waterside worker being killed on a vessel or dying as a, result of injuries received, the members would cease work as a mark of respect for their comrade. When approach >d' hi regard to - the position taken up by the union, Mr W. E. Caliham (president of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union), said it bad been decided to lake a day off to-mor-row out of resptct for dyne, and as an indication to the shipping companies that members of the union were of opinion that a great number of accidents on steamers are preventable. In nineteen days recently, he said, there were eighteen accidents. "I vnture to predict," said Mr Canham, "that if we find it necessary to cease work in this wv.y a.*" nil frequently, before long tho number of fatal accidents will be reel need to at th<p outset one per annum."

Tim. Union Company is the principal one affected. The Tofu.a will be delayed insetting away for the Islands, and tho Wairunia. will also be held up.

Subsequently a meeting of the union executive was held, and the companies wore notified that work would only cease in the morning, when the funeral takes,place, and the men would resume ■at 1 p.m.