KEY TO VICTORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1941, Page 5

KEY TO VICTORY

ORGANISATION OF TRANSPORT IN BRITAIN. CHARTER FOR DOCKERS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 27. Explaining what he described as the “dockers’ charter” for the duration of the war, the Minister of Labour, Mr. Bevin, said that transport had now become the key to victory and that complete and effective organisation of transport would determine the duration of the struggle. The scheme applies to dock labour on the Merseyside, Manchester and Preston, and is calculated to secure the quicker turnover of ships in port. All registered dock-workers at specified ports are to be employed by the Ministry of Transport on a guaranteed weekly basis, combined where possible with payment by results, from March 10. The rates are being worked out by committees at the ports composed of representatives of the Ministry of Transport, the workers’ union, and approved employers.

Any man who accepts employment will be required to work a minimum of 11 four-hour turns and be guaranteed payment for them by the Ministry of Transport working through the regional director. The number and types of suitable men are to be allocated by the port labour superintendent to “approve employers,” a term which includes master stevedores, master porters and the like.

Mr. Bevin added that the scheme would be applied later to the Clyde ports and its possible application to London was being considered.