AUCKLAND WHARF HOLD UP CONTINUES

Chronicle (Levin), 5 August 1947, Page 8

AUCKLAND WHARF HOLD UP CONTINUES

AUCKLAND, August 4. kiore tlian half tlie meiubersliip oi tlie Auckland bvanch of the Watersidc Workers' Union, 1137 men, were on u three-day penalty today for refusin" emplayment in the hatehes of five ship? from^wliieh workers had been dismissed for not laying dunnage. Considerablv more than £10,000 hat been lost in wages as the result of the dispute which began on July 23. After a meeting of the union execu tive this morningv a stopworlc meeting of the branch diseussed the dispute and the port was at a standatill until the 1 p.m. start. Although a sectron of workeir, favoured an immediate return tcwork, the meeting decided to leave the matter to the union 's nationai execu' tive which will meet tomorrow in Wellington. The Auckland and nationai president, Mr. H. Barnes, subsequently left for Wellington by train. The delay in Teaching a settiement is perturbing shipping offieials. The Minister of Labour, Mr. McLagan stated on July 25 that the union harl been advised' that the Grovernmeni took the most serious view of the Auckland branch 's "most unwarranted breach" and that the union had been asked to submit reasons why the Labour Department should not recommend proeeedings under the Strike and Loek Out Emergeney Regulations. Since t.hen the union has made proposals to the Government which have not been aceepted. It is understood that the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, vvho visit ed Auckland at the weekend, is closely in touch with the situation and the Minister of Labour has been in fre quent telephane contaet with Auckland on the subject. The origina). cause of issue, a clai'ni by the ship earpenters' seetion of tlre union for an extra 6d an hour, has not been looming largely in the extension of the dispute although it is reported that the union was prepared to drop this matter if the men placed on penalty were given recompense for time lost. Some waterside workers feel strongly the fact that the earpenters are in steadv cmployment yvhile they are being placed on penalty for sup porting them. Tlie shipping companies shpwed today bv nianv indefinite sailing dates, that they are uncertain what the future, including the meeting of the nationai executive, liolds and they are looking to the Government to end the impasse/