WATERSIDE WORK

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 60, 4 December 1920, Page 10

WATERSIDE WORK

THE SECRET CONFERENCE

NEW EMPLOYMENT SCHEME

'ROPOSED CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

(Contributed by the Now Zealand Welfare

League.)

We submit for the information of the public the draft of a scheme which it is alleged was agreed upon by the representatives of the shipping companies ami the Walersido Workers' Federation at the private conference held in "Wellington on November IS, 11120. . It is reported that tho agreement is being presented to the Waterside Workers' Conference now sitting in Tiinaru, for its ratification or otherwise. What Does It Mean? Tho first thing that strikes us in connection with this matter is, why are the shipping companies and Waterside Federation trying to settle in secret these important issues, which all'cct all ports of tho country; may have ti serious influence on truile ami industry throughout tho Dominion, and. are affairs the whole of the public are interested in? It lends itself to serious suspicion to find so much secrecy being employed in the negotiations. Of tlui scheme itself we have to say that it is not what appears on the surface, and is full of pitfalls for the trading interests of the Dominion. Thus it'seems to aim at unifying control of the work, but instead of reducing the waterside authorities it just adds ono morn. In simple terms, it means that the big shipping companies propose to take the Waterside Workers' Federation into partnership; tho companies to provide the capital, and the federation to have almost equal representation on the Board of Directors, and, in addition, all preference of work to its members at the terms they agree upon. There is only one. source from which these things may bo financed, namely, tho public; and ivo maintain that no such scheme should ever be enforced until ratified ill somo way by the public. Tho agreement leaves out the small shipping companies, it ignores existing stevedores and the harbour 'buards, which have statutory control over the wharves, and harbours arc not considered in tho terms prop&sed. Tho plan makes no clear prevision for ensuring efficiency of work and output, and docs not in the least attempt to minimise the danger of strikos and lock-outs. Ono of its principle defects, in our opinion, is that it treats the vital question of permanent employment in a wholly perfunctory and unsatisfactory manner, leaving it in the nebulous position that has hitherto proved a curse. Taking tho plnn altogether, it impresses us with those ideas. The slapping companies and watcrsidcrs appear to assume that they own the port, wharves, and shipping. To save themselves trouble the companies aro apparently ready to give a large' measure of control to tlie unions, whose declared policy is that they shall liavo all control.. The companies and federation are combined to let tile general public pay for these ventures, but otherwise refuse it any hearing. It is time, we think, that the Government, public bodies, industries aftcctcd, and the people generally took cognisance of this most serious position, lho sluppin" companies do not own the ports and wharves-thc public do. lho sovernnicnt, harbour boards, tind otnoi authorities have sunk enormous Sums in the property which is proposed to bo handled: this is the public's right of recognition.

Details of the Scheme. Tho s6heme is as follows:— Co-operative scheme, as 1 amended at a conference between representatives ot th employers and the Waterside Workers' Federation at Wellington, November 18 19°0 » Name'.—New Zealand ' Co-operativo Stevedoring Association. , • Directors.—A board of directors, . consisting of four employers' representatives, and threo watersiders' representatives to sit in Wellington, who shall elccij a chairman from amongst their number, and in the event of equality of votes the.chairmnn shall have a casting vote: _ Local Branches.—To be under tho joint control of four employers representatives and lSiree watersiders' representatives in eacli port, to be known as local committees, who shall appoint a chairwan from amongst their number, and in the event of equality of votes tho chairman shall have a casting vote. Managementl.—All executive officers to be appointed by the board of directors. Capital.—Necessary capital to be subscribed by shipping companies 111 proportion to wages paid during three years previous to inception. Five per cent, interest to be a first charge. « Gear.-Each shipping company ail start to keep i'.te own gear and hire it to the association, but gear to bo ultimately acciuired by tho association nt valuation. Method of Working—The association id undertake to discharge and load and bunker all vessels under the direction of the association's foreman at tonnage rates, to be agreed upon for each port from time to time oiy a fair commercial basis. In exceptional cases in which tonnage rates cannot conveniently be applied the basis of pnyment to be mutually arranged between the- board of directors and the employer concerned. Labour-All labour- to be engaged by the association from union ranks, when obtainable, at currenil rates. Hours of Labour.—B a.m. to 12 noon j 1 p 111. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays inclusive; 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Overtime—As ner current agreement. Supervision.—Work to be carried out at all times to the satisfaction of companies' sunervisors. marine superintend; enK and shins' officers. Foremen.— Necessary foremen to- bo appointed by the association at each port. Permanent Labour.—The association shall have power from time to time to consider, and if thought fit> to establish n scheme or schemes for the employment of waterside labour 011 <1 permanent basis. . Dispatch and Demurrage— It is proposed to fix a minimum rate of disfor col'lieis, 'also other ships, where practicable. In such cases dispatch money will be paid where the agreed rate of discharge is exceeded; irad," correspondingly, ilemurrago rates to be paid when the agreed rate is not maintained. Claims.—The directors of the association shall from time to time determine the responsibility foe any claims arising from careless handling, pillaging, etc., occurring during loading or discharging. Accidents—The association to keep the men covered by insurance against accide profits.—After payment of: (a) working expenses, salaries, etc.; (b) insurance and depreciation 011 office fittings, cargo, cargo gear, etc.; (c) insurance under Workers' Compensation Acts, Employers' Liability Acts, etc.; (d) fixed interest 011 capital at 5 per csnt., tho balance standing to the crcdit of tho Association at the end of each vear shall be vested in a board of trustees, composed of. equal numbers of cmplovers and watersiders, to form benefit funds, and to establish restaurants. . . As t!he scheme is an experiment it is proposed that it shall in the first place apply only to overseas, intercolonial,, and the larger coastal ships, and shall not Apply to tho small steamers. The scheme to be given a trial in the first instance at one largo port and one small nort.