Reconstruction of Waterfront Industry Commission

Grey River Argus, 14 October 1948, Page 5

Reconstruction of Waterfront Industry Commission

Presentation of a report on trie reconstruction of the Waterfront Industry Commission was made at a stop-work meeting of the Waterside Workers’ Union yesterday, by Mr A. J. Panther. He stressed the need for Ithe functioning of the Commission in order that the weekly wage increase, and outstanding disputes could be preSe To d 'avoid the publicity that had been given the Mountpark dispute, the National Executive, .said Mi Panther, had decided to issue no statement to the press, or the unions until some finality had been reached. As three meetings had .. b ’ e e" H h t Ipp 1 pp ' v out result, however, it had been decided to give a resume to members. Mr Panther said a further conference between the National Executive and the Minister of labour (Hon. A. McLagan) would be held next Tues day, when it was hoped a settlement would be reached. He said that the present issue was not one that would cause immediate trouble on the waterfront, but the. need for a reconstituted Commission was seriously viewed by the unions Although the universal' 10s a week wage rise had been granted last October, the guaranteed wage of waterside workers remained at the same level, while working rates had been increased by 2id an hour. It was felt that the amount paid to waterside workers for time lost when work could not be carried out should be increased, he said. •