MEN AND CARGO

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 7

MEN AND CARGO

WATERFRONT TROUBLE LOADING OF MONTEREY INDEFINITENESS OF ORDERS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday The Waterfront Control Commission is investigating the refusal of Auckland waterside workers to load the Monterey after six o’clock on Saturday, with the result that cargo was left behind when she sailed. Appropriate action will be taken if necessary. A statement to this effect was made by the chairman of the commission, Mr R. E. Price, today. He said he was still inquiring into the matter, but it seemed to him on the facts so far at his disposal that the men had been “messed about,” three different orders having apparently been given them during the day. The position was that the shipping company put in an application on Friday night for men to work extra hours up to 10 o’clock on Saturday. This application was subject to cancellation by the company before 3 0 a.m. on Saturday. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, after the men had commenced work, the company cancelled the order to work after five o’clock on the assumption they would finish loading the cargo before that time. Worked Through Meal Hour About 4.30 p.m. they found they would be unable to finish some hatches and the company asked that the men Should work to 6 p.m. through their meal hour. This was agreed upon. A further request, however, that they should work beyond that time was declined by the men.

Mr Price said a few complaints had been received about the need to apply in advance when men were to be required to work extended hours. It was only reasonable, however, that men should be able to notify their homes they would not be coming home at the usual time.

The lodging of an application entailed no obligation on the employer to work extra hours, provided he cancelled the order before 10 a.m. Formerly cancellation could be made until .11 a.m., but recently it was decided that applications must be confirmed or cancelled by 10 o’clock. If an order were confirmed it became a definite engagement, and in the ordinary engagement, unless the weather was wet, wages must be paid for the whole period, whether the men worked the full time or not. CONTROLLER TO INQUIRE MISHAP WITH DERRICK (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Monday The action of waterside workers who refused to continue loading the Matson liner Monterey after six o’clock on Saturday evening is being investigated by the Auckland waterfront controller, Captain C. V. Stanich, who will report to the Waterfront Commission. Captain Stanich said that none of the men had been excluded from the waterfront as a result of their action. Men permanently employed by the stevedore company in charge of the loading continued the work after the waterside workers left the job. They were assisted by cranemen. The agents of the Matson Line in Auckland, Henderson and, Macfarlane, Limited, did not anticipate that the loading would not be completed by six o’clock, but one of the derricks on the ship broke down and loading was delayed. WORKING OF COLLIER COMMISSION USES POWERS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday When it was intimated last week that the waterside workers did not intend to work a collier lying at Miramar beyond the time customary for many years, the Waterfront Control Commission exercised its powers to have the work carried out. It is understood that there was no actual refusal to work, but the men did not want to do so. It was intimated that if they did not work the commission would take action against them, and the extended hours were observed. There are certain difficulties to be overcome at Miramar, which is an isolated, wharf, concerning the provision of meals and accommodation. Arrangements are being made to provide suitable facilities for the men when they are required to work extra time.