WATERSIDERS CEASE WORK ON PHOSPHATE SHIPS

Chronicle (Levin), 22 March 1947, Page 2

WATERSIDERS CEASE WORK ON PHOSPHATE SHIPS

-Press Associa.tion

Bv Telegravh—

AUCKLAND, March 21. The waterside workers employed in dischargiug phosphate from the steamers Fort Coulonge and Fort Dease Lake ceased work on both ships at noon after a meeting of the port committee had failed to reacli an agreement on the union claims that the inen should be guaranteed eight liours ' • pay a day or, alternatively, that oue of the two ships should be moved to the stream. The union based.its claims on the shortage of railway trucks which has resulted in work finishing on both ships early each after noon. The union announced after the men had wallced off that they would not return to the wharf until Monday morning but the branch manager of the Water front Industry Commission at. Auck land (Captain G. Ruegg) advised the harbourmaster (Captain Beswick) later in the afternoon that one of the two steamers was to be moved to an anchor age in view of the fact that t]ie supply of railway trucks was uot sufficieut to work more than one ship efficiently. Mr. J. A. "Bissett, Auckland manager of the British Phosphate Commission which chartered the two steamers to bring phosphate from the French possession of Malcatea Lslaud, said the Commission 's progranune was so big that the ships had to be worked as they arrived. Gargoes were coming from various parts of the world and it was impossible to arrange that their avrival times at Auckland would not clash.