HC Deb 13 July 1959 vol 609 cc2-3W
48. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement about the present dispute between Messrs. Harland and Wolff and the foremen and piecework-counters employed at their Govan shipyard, of which he has had official notification.

49. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the dispute at Govan shipyard between the Association of Supervisory Staffs Executives and Technicians and Messrs. Harland and Wolff.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The dispute arises from a claim by the Association for an improvement in the salaries of its members employed as deputy head foreman and assistant foremen in the firm. The employers have decided not to enter into negotiations on the claim, and are not prepared to agree to a proposal by the Association that the claim should be referred to arbitration. The men concerned therefore stopped work on 6th May, and from 2nd June the stoppage was extended to members of the Association employed as piecework-counters.

I have been kept informed of the circumstances of this dispute, and on 26th May the Association asked my officer in Scotland to assist. The matter has been discussed with the employers' association concerned, but the firm is not prepared to alter its decision.