Stoppage Protest At Award Delay

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30958, 14 January 1966, Page 1

Stoppage Protest At Award Delay

CA’cw Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 13. Seamen on New Zealand-owned ships stopped work throughout the country between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. today in protest against alleged slow progress by the Shipowners’ Federation to approve claims for higher wages and more leave.

Negotiations between the Seamen's Union and the federation on the two issues have been adjourned three times since they began last November.

The secretary of the Auckland Seamen’s Union, Mr T. A. Curphey, said today: “The stoppage was to illustrate clearly to shipowners how the union feels about the slow progress in negotiations. The union believes shipowners have been tardy on the issue.”

Negotiations will resume between the two bodies in Wellington within the next few days. During the stoppage today Mr Curphey and the assistant-

secretary of the Auckland union. Mr D. Harcus, led deputations of five members to outline the union’s protest to the managers of the Union Steam Ship Company and the Northern Steamship Company.

Passengers ferries were not affected by the stoppage. “Our protest is not with the public, but with shipowners,” said Mr Curphey. About 14 Union and Northern vessels were berthed in Auckland and Onehunga during the stoppage but no sailings were delayed as a result.

Other ships berthed in Auckland were not affected. Watersiders continued to work all vessels.