WATERFRONT DISPUTE SETTLED

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5305, 18 January 1947, Page 5

WATERFRONT DISPUTE SETTLED

5 (Press Assn.—

P.

FRASER." '

OVERTIME WORK TO RESUME U ON MONDAY

-By Telcgftfph — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Minister of Labour was notified over the telephone to-night by the National Sec etary that the National \ Council of the-Waterside Workers' Union has ordered all branches to resume normal work as from Monday next.

The Secretary -of the New Zealancl Federation of Labour, Mr. K. McL. Baxter, stated tonight that the extraordinary national conferenee of delegates to the Federation called for Tuesday next will still be held, in spite of the announcement that the watersiders will resume' normal working hours. ■ The announcement followed a.series of conferences with Ministers. The National Co'uncil of the Waterside Wcrrkers' Union met the Prime Minister and members of Cabinet -on Thursday forenoon at Parliament Buildings. There were subsequent' discussions with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Labour, and representatives of the council both yesterday and to-day. Letter to Secretary At the conclusiop of these discussions the Prime Minister addressed the following letter to Mr. T. Hill, National Secretary of the Union: — "Dear Mr. Hill. — As mentioned in my letter of Decemiber 20 on normal hours of work being res'umed, the following matters can be raised: — "(1) Any anomalies in regard to annual holiday s and statutory holidays —

"I repeat the statement in my letter of December 20. 'The Government is of opinion in connection with holiday pay that the waterside workers should he .in a position not less favourable than other workers, and also that reasoned discussions will ' produce -practical results to ensure this end. "(2) Saturday Morning Calls — "If it is possible to make suitable arrangements in substitution of the Saturday morning call uhder modern conditions, including radio notifications of the arrival of ships, I ihink that an agreement satisfactory to all parties can be aiTanged. "(3) Guaranteed Wage Claim — "The chairman of the Waterfront Industry Commission has advised the Government that he will arrange for consideration of the effect of his pronouncement on the guaranteed wage, inclmding representations of the union, for his rcconsideration, and the chairman has also notit.ied the

Government that no order will be made .before this reconsideration has taken place, as soon as is' practicable after the resumption of normal. work. "(1) Increased Wages Claim — - ■ "Reference has 'been made to the ■claim of the union for an "increase in wages. As stated yesterday, this is a subject for consideratioiu by the Commission. "(5) — Accommodation & Amenities— "The Government has always stood for and will do every thirtg practicable to facilitate the pro- ' vision of good and adequate accommodation and ainenities for workers of the waterfront. Progress in this regard is inevitably conditioned by the existing posi- : . tion in regard to materials and | labour in the building* industry, particularly in regard to lurgent honsing needs. • . * . ■. "(6) — Conditions of Labour- — "The Government stands en the one hand for steady improvement, as economic circumstances permit in the conditions of all wage- - earners and of the people gener'- * ally, but it also stands fdr every citizen assuming his full obligAtions and responsi'bility in regafd to giving honest and efficient, service in whatever position he occupies in the community.

"We are sure all agree that reasoriable efficiency in waterfront wopk from employees and employers alike. is as necessary as in all other occu- - pations, and that the conditions of workers can only be maintained apd1 improved if there is that degree of cfficiency. t "In statements made yesterday by members of the Waterfront Wofkefs' Union Council, they diselosed that there was ample provision in the 'existing orders of the Commission for • the transfer of workers from one job to. another, in the interest of efficient worliing of shipping at our ports. This efficiency, the Government considers, is essential for the continued prosperity of the country, including Ihe welfare of t'he workers concerned. "On the resumption of normal hours of work the orders suspending the 'powers and authorities of the Waterfront Industry CoraMisfiion will be rescind'ed. — Yoiirs Faithfully,