EMPLOYERS BLAMED

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 7

EMPLOYERS BLAMED

WATERSIDE DISPUTE LOADING OF CARGO NO ROOM TO LIE DOWN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday In a statement regarding the stowing of cargo dispute at Auckland, Mr J. Roberts, secretary of the New Zealand Watersiders’ Union, says the men were asked to stow cargo underneath the hatchways where there was barely room for them to lie down flat. The workers have been asking the employers to remedy this method for years, but up till recently the employers have merely paid an extra rate.

On this occasion the men asked for the extra rate and the employers refused to pay it. The dispute was sent on to Wellington, but how people in Wellington, not having seen the job, could adjust a dispute of that kind the officials here did not know.

There is no reason why proper space should not be allowed for men stowing cargo. Mr Roberts indicates that the system is followed only at Auckland. It is not pursued at other ports. The loading of the hold should be completed as the last tiers of cargo are brought, and this could be done if suitable cargo were made available. Absence of Award Replying to statements by Mr Bennett, secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Employers’ Association, in regard to no award having been achieved governing waterside work, Mr Roberts throws all the blame in the controversy on the employers. He says the workers’ representatives have done everything in their power to obtain an industrial agreement by negotiation. The waterside industry does not belong solely to the employers or waterside workers. It is an important national industry which renders service to the public, and the men engaged in the work of loading and discharging ships are willing to give the best service possible to seaborne transport if given fair treatment in settlement of their disputes.