WATERSIDE LABOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1929, Page 6

WATERSIDE LABOUR

NEW SYSTEM OF ENGAGEMENT. DUNEDIN, May 2. WELLINGTON, May 2. An interesting and important innovation in respect of the engagement of waterside labour has been put into operation at Wellington, Auckland, Port Chalmers, and Dunedin. The new system, which was mutually agreed upon between the employers of waterside laoour and the Union, came into lorce on Wednesday and is to be given a three months’ trial. Hitherto there has been a morning and afternoon “call” for waterside bloom-, men seeking work being engaged between the hours of 7.45 and 9.45 a.ill. and 1 p.m. and 2.45 p.m. Under this system men who were not engaged at the morning “call,” and especially those who lived at any distance from the waterfront, had to remain in the vicinity or “hang about” in the hope if getting a job at the afternoon call. This meant in elfect that in the majority of cases more men than were likely to he wanted had to present themselves at the afternoon “call” on the chance of being engaged, i Under'the new'scheme the afternoon call has been abolished, the hours M the morning call have been extended from 745 a.m. to 10.45 a.in., and a system of “nomination” of men who •may be required to start work at ships hrrving in the afternoin has been introduced. The nomination call does not apply on Saturdays, when the time for engagements is from 7.45 to 10.30 a.m.