INTERMITTENT WORK ON WHARF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 197, 18 May 1944, Page 4

INTERMITTENT WORK ON WHARF

Complaint By Employers

URGENT VESSELS AT

WELLINGTON

Some trouble had been experienced in the working of urgent vessels nt the port of Wellington, said the secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Employers’ Association, Mr. W. 11. Bennett, in a statement issued last night. Work on an urgent overseas vessel had been intermittent during-yesterday, it was stated. The waterside workers informed the employers shortly after 1 o’clock that if there was no improvement in the weather by 3.30 p.m. they would refuse to return to work at 6 p.m. Orders were given to the men to return to work at the time laid down in the Waterside Control Commission's order. but the men refused to accept the orders, and ceased work at 5 p.m.

Clause 47 of the Commission's order is mandatory, and states that if required men shall work overtime between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., and orders must be given to this effect by the employer before 4 p.m. On the s.s. Kauri on Tuesday the men took a ballot, and refused to continue working, stating that there was too much wind. They were ordered back to continue working at 6 p.m., but they again ceased work at 7 p.nt., and went to their homes.

Yesterday, the men employed on the Kauri practically worked only one hour, stating that it was too wot and windy to work. As no work was being carried out, the men were suspended by the employer at 3 p.m.. and ordered to return to work at S a.m. today. 1

On the s.s. Waipnhi men were engaged to work at 8 a.m. yesterday. Though they were being paid, they consistently refused to start work on account of wind or rain. The employer suspended these men at 3 p.m., and ordered them back for S a.m. today.

Though the waterside workers had the right to take a ballot and decide to cease work because of wind dr rain, the employers considered that, this clause was being very much abused, the statement concluded.