Solidarity Erases Log Entry

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 8, 1 September 1913, Page 1

Solidarity Erases Log Entry

Delphic Seamen win with help of Engineroom men and Watersiders

All beats carrying explosives into Auckland inust transfer them before being allowed to berth at the wharves. The “ Delphic,” of the Shaw, Saville Co., laid at Brown’s Island to have some explosives discharged. In the agreement between the shipowners and the waterside workers all cargo must be worked by the members of the A.W.W.U. In the case of the “ Delphic ” the shipowners tried to break the agreement, and in so doing brought about a fine display of solidarity.

The sailors, when ordered to handle the cargo, made a start, but then again refused, and came ashore in a body to see the Secretary of the Seamen’s Union, who told them they would have to do it —they couldn’t get out of it. When the sailors got back to ship they were informed, that every one of them was logged, and their wages docked £l/8/2 per man, for use of motor-launch to and from ship, and for wages paid for working of cargo.

Tlie sailors came to tlie waterside workers (who were in meeting assembled), and stated tlieir case. At once the whole thing was taken up with enthusiasm. On the following morning— August 7th —the local Executive were out early on the job; they stated the whole affair to the men, who, like one, downed tools. The manager boasted that he would soon get substitutes, and notified the engineer to keep up steam; then he got another shock, for the engineroom staff replied: “ Not a pound of steam do you get here for any blackleg labour.” There was SOLIDARITY par excellence. It has always been said that once anything is entered into the log-book it cannot be erased; but Solidarity in this case broke the rule, for at 2 o’clock that day the entry was erased, and the log-book signed by three waterside workers, three sailors, the Captain, and the Shipping Master, and was duly stamped. The shipc iwners had certainly bumped up against a rock, and felt the power of working class Solidarity,. coupled with quick action, unhampered by centralised officialism.—W.M.

The trade unions foster a state of affairs which allows one set of workers to be pitted against another set of workers in the same industry.