The Federated Wharf Laborers’ Union.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 419, 20 February 1890, Page 3

The Federated Wharf Laborers’ Union.

About eighty persons attended the meeting of the above, held on Monday evening. Mr Creagh, the delegate appointed by the Executive to open the Gisborne branch, was present and fully explained the objects of the Union, emphasising the point that it was to be worked on q liberal basis, and that neither employers nor employed would be able to act in an arbitrary manner ; that any demands made by the employees should only be founded on reason and justice, and in case employers in Gisborne would not agree tothe terms according to the rules of the Society full allowance would be made for local circumstances such as the difficulties of working open roadsteads and bar harbors. The local brunch would be permitted to make its own by laws, but the Executive would' not countenance the laws if they were extortionate. The vital principles of the Uniqn were that th? day's work si;oql4 bo eight hours at |s 3d njr hqqr, overtime to be charged for night time, Sundays, and holidays, but as -Sunday and holiday work oould not be avoided at Gisborne some allowance should be made to employers, Mr Creagh also pointed out that branches the Union now existed at every port, and as wharf laborers sometimes required tn move from place to place it would be to the]? own interest to Join the Union, beaaqse >;anmqmbers could not get employment at ports where the Union had branches.

Mr Ureagh’a remarks met with the unanimous approval of those present, and hs then read correspondence from Domain, and the following letter from the Sydney Uuion Dear Sir,—lt is hardly necessary for me to enumerate the advantages to be derived from the federation of the Wharf Laborers Unions in the various colonies. Regular correspondenoe would be maintained between all the colonies, and the members of the societies would know exkctly the State of trade,' apfi would he generally qrell posted in mq’.ters qf trade interests. Jt would be arranged that members of societies going from one colony to another, would, by presenting a clear card of membership, be admitted into one society without paying any further entrance for, At the present time if a wharf isbwer is obliged to seek employment in another colony before he will ba allowed to work he must pay a fresh entrance fee, and we think by adopting transferable cards, it would lend mere to consolidate our forces In the time of need. A cods of rules relating to member., working with non-Union men woUlff Ise introduced at the conference. -'At the present time we do not rsdoghise each other's rules, not even in reference to strikes, but how different might we expect the case to be were we cemented together in the bonds of federation ? Non-soofety men, knowing this bond existed between us in ths different colonies, would think twice before they would apt contrary to our rules, We aye conylncefl that were we federated throughout the different colonies, it would be the meant of swelling the ranks of the unions. Experience has taught us that’our cause is a common one without any distinction aa tothe locality of trade, and in order to achieve any practical results in favor of our cause we must be united, bate soma system' of concerted action, and ' some method ' of marshalling oqr entire artpy of lahdrera when action la required, It fa proposed that tha conference will be held in Sydney in the first week of March next, It has been decided that each society sand two delegatee, and the follow. Ing shall be the principal items for discussion st the confarenMUaitorm rate of wages; uniform boon of labor | and tratuiuting members

! from one society to another. I might point out that if funds are required to carry out some necessary suike it we he-i federation we would be able io assist one another in the hour of need. Trusting that your society will aend a delegate to the conference,—l am, yours &e., Dantco OTi-aheuty, Secretary. The meeting confirmed the nomination of Mr Creagh as a delegate to Sydney, and votes of thanks were accorded to that gentleman and the other office-bearers. At a Committee meeting rules for the special use of the port were framed.