TRAWLING CREW ON STRIKE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 718, 18 July 1929, Page 1

TRAWLING CREW ON STRIKE

Free Labour Will Be Called

‘WILL WORK FLEET AT ALL COSTS’

A DISPUTE between the men engaged on the trawling fleet operated by Messrs. Sanford, Ltd., wholesale fish merchants, came to a head this morning -when the crew of the trawler James Cosgrove refused to put to sea. Another trawler, the Serfib, is also held up at Auckland, and the men state that the crews of the other two vessels now at sea will leave them when they arrive at port. The company is determined to keep the vessels in operation and to a Sun representative this morning the manager stated that it was intended to man the vessels with free labour. “We will keep them at sea at all costs,” he added.

According to the men their grievance against the company concerns ihe hours they are allowed off a week. At present they get 108 hours off in ~T er y month, which works out at 24 tours a week, with a 36-hour break every fourth week. It i 3 stated that when the question was raised in the course of Conciliation Council proceedings the employers offered the men 120 hours a month. The delegates put this offer to the men, but it was rejected, the men asserting their request for 36-hour break weekly. This was refused by the company and the men decided upon the present action. The James Cosgrove, one of the company’s fleet of four trawlers, and its largest vessel, was due to sail

Mr. A. W. Brockie. He said that at present the men were allowed weekly breaks of 24 hours, with one of 36 hours every fourth week. This was In accordance with the present award. The men demanded a 36-hour break for every week. This the company could not see its way clear to grant, and instead, offered the men periods of 36 and 24; alternately a 24 and 36hour break, which the men have declined to accept. “The officials of their own union advised them to accept this offer,” said Mr. Brockie, “and told them that if they went to the Arbitration Court there would be little prospect of them getting their demand. “We have other sources of supply which will continue to come

this morning, but no crew was forthcoming. Early this morning a call for free labour was made and some 24 men put in an appearance. When Informed of the nature of the dispute! however, they refused to sign on and went away. Outlining the men’s side of the dispute to a Sun representative on the ■waterfront this morning, one of the men’s delegates said that a 60-hour week on a trawler at sea was not an enviable experience. Life on the cramped space of a small vessel such as a trawler could not be termed luxurious. Not only this, but they missed most of the relaxations and amusements of life that were available to most people. Only on rare occasions, he could the men attend football matches, races, or any form of sport in which they might be interested. He felt sure that the men would not take the trawlers to sea until their demand, which they considered was quite reasonable, had been met. INTIMIDATION ALLEGED The company’s side of the dispute was stated by thp general manager.

in providing the weather remains favourable. If so we can guarantee a curtailed supply and will do our best to maintain it,” said Mr. Brockie. In the meantime we will endeavour to send the vessels to sea with free labour. We hope to succeed in this, and with a bit of luck we might be able to get one away tonight. A certain amount of free labour is offering, said Mr. Brockie, but the usual intimidation is in evidence. Although not successful in obtaining free labour this morning, he thought sufficient would be forthcoming to man the fleet. He considered the men were very ill-advised in carrying out their present action, as the company had conceded them other demands. Not only was the supply of a staple article of diet affected, but also a public company, in which there were many shareholders who relied on their dividends for a considerable portion of

their income. “Under the circumstances we feel it incumbent upon us to keep our vessels at sea and maintain a supply at all costs,” he concluded. “We cannot jeopardise the supply for a few illdirected men.”