NAMES OFF REGISTER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 185, 2 May 1940, Page 11

NAMES OFF REGISTER

Waterside Workers Fail To Pay Levy LABOUR DAILY FUND Members of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union who have failed to pay the levy of £1 to the Labour daily newspaper fund, have had their names removed from the union’s register. The secretary of the branch, Mr. J. O. Johnson, said yesterday that in accordance with the rules the names of some members had been removed from the register for non-payment of the levy and they would have to apply for readmission to membership if they paid the levy. It is understood that more than 100 members have failed to pay the levy, but that only a small proportion'so far have been directly affected in their employment as unionists. It is also understood that at 'the last Stopwork meeting a resolution was passed giving members till the end of April to make payment, otherwise they would not be recognized as members, of the union. It is reliably stated that a meeting of the executive of the branch will be held shortly to consider the position.

The secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Employers’ Association, Mr. W. H. G. Bennett, said yesterday that the vessels and number of men affected were: An overseas liner (18), where work was to start at 1 p.m.; the Waipiata (17), where work started at 8 a.m.; the Gale (3), where work was to start at 3 p.m.; the Holmilea (5), where work was to start at 2 p.m.; the Wingatui (1), where work started at 9.30 a.m.; and sundry, two men. The men affected numbered 46, and only a' little more than half had been replaced Because of the union failing to inform the employers till after the hour for engaging men it was impossible to replace them all. Ships were left short-hand-ed and work was delayed, though the union instructed men to work shorthanded where the gangs were not complete. If the men who were to be put off had been told at 8 a.m. and the employers informed, replacements could have been made and there would have been no trouble.