All Union Crews Are Now Ashore

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 724, 25 July 1929, Page 11

All Union Crews Are Now Ashore

TRAWLING STRIKE TRIP WITH FREE LABOUR With the arrival in Auckland last evening of the West Coast trawler, the Thomas Currell, all the union crews of the trawlers owned by Sanford, Limited, are now ashore at Auckland. Meetings of the men were held this morning to discuss the dispute that has arisen, but no announcement of their decision has yet been made. An effort to bring about a settlement of the dispute was made to the Concilliation Commissioner, Mr. P. Hally, last week, when meetings were held at which representatives of both parties attended. The request made by the men for 36 hours’ leave every week was met with a concession by the employers of 24 and 36 hours alternately. It is this offer that was the principal subject of discussion at this morning’s meeting. In spite of the fact that the vessel carried four inexperienced men in the crew the Serfib, which returned to port last evening, experienced a successful trip, bringing back about 500 baskets of fish. She will go to sea again tomorrow, and it is understood that union labour will be accepted if it is offering. The Thomas Currell,- together with the James Cosgrove, which has been laid up since the start of the strike, will go into dock at Devonport tomorrow for cleaning and repairs. The Humphrey, manned by non-union labour, is the only trawler now at sea. She is expected to return to Auckland at the beginning of next week. If conciliation proceedings do not bring about a settlement the dispute will be referred to the Arbitration Court at its forthcoming Auckland sitting.

Although no statement was issued either by the management or the men, the dispute has not yet been settled.