WATERSIDE STRIKE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 388, 24 November 1932, Page 6

WATERSIDE STRIKE

(From Our Own Representative)'.

UNIONISTS REFUSE WORK ON THE SCOW OTIMAI FREE WORKERS EMPLOYED

The N.S.S. Coys. scow Otimai herthed at the Opotiki wharf at 12 noon yesterday and at 1.0 p.m. a call was made for labour to unload the boat in the usual way. The members of the Waterside Workers Union refused the work, and non-unionists were engaged. The agent of the company asked the men's secretary if they were going to work and the secretary asked how many gangs were to he put on. On h'earing that it was proposed to employ two gangs, he replied on behalf of the men "We refuse to work as we are worlcing under the old award." The agent .approacbed the men and made a call in the usual way saying that he was putting on two> gangs hut the members of the union refused to start. One gang of nine men (nonunionists) was started and the secretary and president of the Waterside Workers Union were invited to talk the matter over with' the agent and Capt. Cash. Meantime the work of unloading was continued by one non-union gang. At 2.30 p.m. after the president and secretary had had time to discuss matters further with the men another call was made for non-union labour to form a second gang, the idea being to allow the union men to reconsider their decision if they wished tq do so. The following is the text of a telegram received by the nnion secretary from headquarters in Wellington: "Advise men work strictly under terms last award." — signed "Roberts." It is understood that the old award governing waterside work expired at 10 o'clock last night.