An NZBC documentary looking back at the 1951 waterfront dispute.
Narrated by Dougal Stevenson.
Keith Belford, industrial supervisor for ship owners, recalls relations between workers and employers were deteriorating in September 1950, with the so-called 'Lamp Black Dispute"
Trade unionist Jock Barnes explains the cause of this dispute, which was triggered by a reduction in special allowances. Prime Minister Sidney Holland declared a state of emergency but was forced to withdraw it.
Wellington journalist Alex Fry explains the press account of the strike was not what would be expected today, so the public did not know what the watersider's case was.
A national pay award was introduced which did not apply to the watersiders. Jock Barnes says a lower offer was made to watersiders by employers. Keith Belford explains their rationale.
Ship owner's representative Vivian Blakely recalls writing a letter to the union when they introduced an overtime ban, warning a lock-out would be the result.
Jock Barnes says the men were never on strike - they were locked out of their workplaces.
A recording of an address by Prime Minister Sidney Holland announcing a state of emergency will be introduced unless normal work resumes on the nations' wharves. This is followed by the announcement on the 22nd of February of the State of Emergency.
Opposition leader Walter Nash said Labour was 'neither for or against the workers, ' but he was still restricted from speaking publically about the dispute. An archival recording of an election address by Walter Nash outlining attempts to settle the dispute.
Military personnel were brought in to man the wharves, but consumer supplies were still limited.
Archival recordings of a 'storekeepers' and a 'housewife' on the impact of the shortages. [It is believed these recordings were probably staged by the Broadcasting Service - on the request of the government.]
Historian Dr Michael Bassett comments on the restrictions imposed by the emergency regulations, which stopped the press from publicising anything which might be interpreted as assisting the strikes.
Journalist Alex Fry says no statement of the watersider's position was ever published, and the lock-out was officially declared a strike by the government.
An attempt was made to dynamite a bridge near Huntly, presumably to disrupt coal mining work. A recording of an unnamed union leader speaking at a meeting in Auckland about the Huntly incident and how it was exploited by the government.
Patrick Walsh was leader of the Federation of Labour which decided to back the government against the watersiders and the more militant Trades Union Congress. Archival recording of Walsh explaining the FOL's position.
Mrs. Mitchell of Auckland describes police raids on her home searching for 'seditious literature' as her husband was chairman of the union publicity campaign. Her husband comments on the material the police removed.
Public sympathy was being turned against the unionsts, and Holland called a snap election to endorse his handling of the dispute. After 151 days the workers voted to return to work, a complete victory for the government which was returned to power with an increased majority.
Michael Bassett and author Conrad Bollinger sum up the legacy of the 1951 dispute.