§ 98. Mr. Elwyn Jonesasked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take with a view to terminating the dispute between the Watermen, Lightermen, Tugmen and Bargemen's Union and the Association of Master Lightermen.
§ Sir W. MoncktonI would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made to the House on Friday last. The dispute which was reported to me by the employers has now been referred to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal for an award on the following points:
- (a) whether there should be a flat rate bonus in substitution for the piece work payment in the Legal Quay section and, if so, how much;
- (b) whether in addition there should be a flat rate bonus increase applicable to all sections and, if so, how much;
- (c) whether there should be a contingency allowance for any grades or categories of workpeople according to skill and, if so, what should be the amount and to which grades or categories should it apply?
The award of the tribunal will be binding on both sides.
The extension of the dispute to a complete ban on overtime raises an issue of fundamental importance to the Dock Labour Scheme and to dock workers in all parts of the country. Any such question should be raised through the appro- 229W priate constitutional machinery which is fully capable of dealing with such questions. I hope that all parties will adopt this constitutional course and so prevent unnecessary hardship being imposed on the community.