Watersiders and Cement.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 76, 23 August 1912, Page 8

Watersiders and Cement.

Position at Date.

By CEO. SMITH,

' Vcretary Transport- Branch, F.L.

I am in receipt of the following h-t----ler, dated duly L's, l!)12r— "Dear Sir,—AYe are in receipt of yours dated the Bth inst.. covering an agreement entered into between your branch and the cement manufacturers of New Zealand. AYithout discussing this matter, we have to inform you that on January 17, ItHrJ, an agreement was entered into between the N.Z.F.L. and various waterside unions on the one part, and various shipping companies on the oilier part. In this agreement special provision is made for the settlement of disputes and differences between the parties. If tlicro is any (lis-1 pute re cement— we are not aware of any—it should be adjusted in the way provided for therein. "(Signed) N.Z. Steamship Co., N.Z. and South African S.S. Co.. Tvscr Line, Shaw. Savill and Albion Co., Levin and Co." As the "New Zealand Times" has published a oar that the ship-owners contend that the watersiders have committed a breach of their agreement in deciding to refuse to unload imported cement" unless contained in zinc-lined casks, and further advance the contention that the shipowners wore, notaware of any dispute re cement existing, perhaps a review of the whole position which led up to the latest decision of the Transport Workers would not be out of place, more especially .since there has appeared in the columns of the Press a resolution carried at the recent conference in AYanyanui of the AYaterside Workers' Federation to the effect thattho Federation disapproves of the actions of the Transport Workers (N.Z.F.L.), has no sympathy therewith, and disassociates itself from any practice or principle likely to cause " unnecessary " trouble to the employing companies. This is exactly what was to he expected, and is characteristic of the attitude of the alleged AYaterside Federation, whose dominating idea is always to avoid "trouble." and when trouble (or imaginary trouble) is brewing, tn rush info nrint and tell the world at large, including the employing shipowners, that its legs are so weak that it is unable to stand up and fight with other waterside unions for the amelioration or prevention of an evil which has been endured by the long-suffering watersiders for many years. It should he gratifying to the ship-owners to know that, as evidenced by the AYaterside Federation's- disclaimer of sympathy, with and Press protest against the actions of the Transport Workers, they have the loyal bar-king of. the AVatiganui. Napier, Hlnif, and New Plymouth unions, which comprise tho waterside federation. Here you have on exhibition of the id-mtitv of interest between employer and employed that is truly edifying, and in which class unionism is seen in all its pristine glory and vindicated against all detractors. Watersiders know that for years, when working shipments of cement, they have had to work under conditions not fit for Kaffirs on the 'Rand, cramped down below in ships' holds, sweltering in clouds of cement dust, which per.etrntes info ovcry nook and corner, wiih practically no ventilation, and inhaling large ciuantities of the dust, to the great injury of their health. It was not until quite recently that the waterside unions made any determined effort to effect an alteration of working conditions in these oases. At the AYaterside Workers' Conference held in Auckland twelve months ago, a remit was carried to the effect that pr-mer-lined bags be enforced for the packing of cement, etc. Experience has shown that the imposition of paperlined bags has not been as satisfactory as was at first anticipated, in so far that tho bags used have been of a very inferior quality. Further, in the process of manufacturing paper-lined bags creosote is used. This causes the bags to stick together inside, and in order to avoid tearing oft' the paper the employees of cement works have to put their hands inside the bags, the result of which invariably is that the skin peels off the men's hands, and then blood poisoning sets in. The watersiders. while trying to improve their own conditions, unconsciously imposed a heavier burden upon their fellowworkers in the cement manufacturing industry. Upon representations being made to the President of the F.L. by certain interested persons, i.e., cement merchants and others, the Executive strongly advised the transport workers to try and arrange a conference with cement manufacturers, agents and ship owners, with a view to arriving at a satisfactory arrangement by which not only the watersiders but tho workers in cement works would benefit. Accordingly the waterside unions affiliated to the F.L. discussed the question and decided in favour of arranging a conference and considering the subject in all its bearings. On April 13th circular letters were sent to the Ship-owners' Federation, Employers Association, and Northern Branch Farmers' Union, inviting all, including agents and manufacturers who were interested in the cement industry, to meet the transport workers in conference about the end of May. These appeals for a conference met with but scant consideration at the hands of the other interested parties, as 'the gi?t of the replies received will show. On the face of this we find some ship-owners declaring that a breach of agreement has been committed, that th?v were unaware of any dispute, etc.. but if what they allege is true, then they have only their own Ship-owners' Federation to blame for keeping them in the dark. The Farmer-,' Union replied to the effect that as the transport workers appeared to be dominated by the N.Z. F.L., they declined to attend the conference. In his reply o-' April L'2nd. Air. Pryor, Secretary of the Ship-

Shipowners, Manufacturers, and Wharfies.

owners' Federation, said that his committee were not able to agree to the request for a conference, and that itappeared to be a matter for cement manufacturers. May 29th found the delegates of waterside unions in Wellington attending the N.Z.K.L. Conference. Mr. Prvor was again written to, urging upon him the advisability of his federation being represented. On June sth lie replied that he did not understin-. ( tho wa-tersidors' desires re cment, and therefore had nothing to put before those interested. To the credit of the cement manufacturers, they decided to meet the transport workers, and sent representatives from north and smith to confer on the subject. The waterside iMee/ates and cement merchants met at the end of Alav. but not until certain members of the AYellington Employers' Association had unsuccessfully tried to persuade the cement merchants not to meet the delegates of the transport workers, evidently belrving that irritation is better than discussion. It may seem strange to some that the strongest opposition to the proposed change emanates not from the manufacturers but from agents, who. sitting in cosy offices, drawing fat commissions for something which they never do, condemn the wafersidc-rs for their highhanded decision in daring to suggest refusal to unload cement. However, the days of newspaper protests have gone by—lot's hope for ever —and the wharm-s, recognising their economic power, have decided to do things, and are going to abolish the evils hitherto oxisiing. Secretaries of waterside unions should leave no stone unturned to bring prominently before their members the terms of the compact entered into with the New Zealand cement manufacturers, and prepare for united action. No genera) strike is necessary — just merely leave the cement lie in the shins' holds, and January Ist, 1913, should see the wharfies ready.