WORK ON THE WHARVES

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 83, 4 October 1940, Page 6

WORK ON THE WHARVES

Attention to the recent waterfront dispute regarding the Breeze is called by a correspondent, "One Who Knows," who refers to the stand taken by the Waterfront Control Commission. He states that the men in three gangs who stopped work because they were refused 4d an hour extra as dirt money were later taken back and paid the 4d, and discharged the vessel. The day she sailed, Saturday, they were notified by the Commission that they had been penalised four days' work for holding up the job for more money. The correspondent also states that on the following Tuesday a deputation from the executive of the union waited on the Government, stating that they considered the treatment of the -penalised men harsh, and that, unless the Government took some action in the matter, the sympathy of the rest of the men would make them cease work. They were told, he was informed, that the Government' upheld the action of the Commission. The correspondent cannot reconcile payment of' the 4d, and at the same time the penalising of the men.

From inquiries made it is understood that the men were not punished for asking for, or receiving, the extra Id, but for ceasing work on the job, which was a breach of the order of the Commission. Only in one part of the ship, where the men suffered more discomfort than the others in handling "dirty" cargo, were they paid the 4d. There were only a few men who were so paid, others being paid 3d.