NO PROGRESS MADE

Chronicle (Levin), 6 December 1946, Page 7

NO PROGRESS MADE

WATERFRONT COMMISSION MEETS WELLINGTON, lice. 5. The chahunan of ihe \\ alcriront Industrv Conuuissioii, N1 r. Juslici Ongley," stated today tliat Ihe Conumssion met yesterday afternoon to consider the action takcn by Ihe Auckland, Wellington and New I'lymoutli branehes of Ihe Waterside Woi'kel.. Union in introducing the ilvc day 40 hour week as a prolest against liis decision 011 the guaranteed wage toi waterside workers. l.nion re|ii'csonta tives on the Coniniission _subinilled a statement from their national executive which diroeted ail uiajor auil secoudary ports to iutroduee im mediately the 40-liour week bctwci'u 9 a.m. aiul 5 p.m. Moiulav to Friday in clusivc. It was stated that tliis action was a protest against the ehairman : decision on the guaranteed wage case and would eontinue untii a decision satisfactory to the union has been brought dovvn. The union also sub mitted further demands for inereases in wages, improveiuent in acconiinodation and amenities and also a demaao for the abolition of the engageinent oi labour on Saturday morning. Tlu Commission diseussed the matter witii a view to obtaining the resumptiou oi norinal hours of work but could reaeli no agreement. The union representatives on the Commission stated they could not agree to vary the decision of their national executive, which represented its minimum demands. The employers' representatives stated that while they considered the ehairman 's decision regarding the guaranteed wage favoured the worker, it was the legal decision of the Commission and should be upheld. It was pointed out that thc Commission could eontinue to function only as long as its authority was observed and in the circumstances the chainnan considered the impasse which had been reaehed should he reported to the Government. ' ' This has now been dorie, ' ' Mr. Justiee Ongley added, "and it rests with the Government to determine the future policy in connection with the Conimission. ' '