The 1951 waterfront dispute. Don't Scab! The dispute took place in a climate of Cold War suspicion. Commercial re-use may be allowed on request. The 1951 Waterfront Dispute is event of great significance to New Zealand society, as it … The watersiders’ militancy had isolated them from most unionists, who were affiliated to the more moderate Federation of Labour (FOL). The 1951 waterfront dispute was the biggest industrial confrontation in New Zealand’s history. This dispute gives the Labour Party a good weapon with which to fight the next election. As well as attacking the government, watersiders’ propaganda denounced Fintan Patrick Walsh and other Federation of Labour leaders as rats who had betrayed the workers’ cause. The Second World War saw an unprecedented expansion of government control over the lives of New Zealanders. The Cold War. The 1951 waterfront lockout is probably the most famous industrial dispute in New Zealand history, although it wasn’t the largest-scale such dispute. Attempts at mediation were undermined by the ideologies, intransigence and egos of those involved. 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The 1951 waterfront dispute was the biggest industrial confrontation in New Zealand’s history. The 1951 waterfront lockout is probably the most famous industrial dispute in New Zealand history, although it wasn’t the largest-scale such dispute. Therein the cause of the waterfront disputes was attributed to the attitude of “Barnes and Hill” on the various waterfront Commissions, and to the machinations of the Communists. The dispute was a family event as well as an industrial event. The 1951 Waterfront Dispute polarized New Zealand government and politics and split the union movement. … Protest and reform Women and children felt some of the worst effects of the emergency regulations introduced during the 1951 waterfront dispute. The year was dominated by the 1951 New Zealand waterfront dispute. Baden Norris Photo: ... And memories of the Waterfront Dispute are there too, the less fond ones mingled with the reminder that tough times can also bring out the best in people. For five months from mid-­February 1951, watersiders were locked-­out and miners, seamen, freezing workers and others went on strike in support of the watersiders; in total 20,000 workers were involved. Although it was not as violent as the Great Strike of 1913, it lasted longer – 151 days, from February to July – and involved more workers. Pre-1840 contact, Holidays and events, The arts and entertainment, Disasters, Transport, Health and welfare, Decade studies, Sport, Crime and punishment, Immigration, Lifestyle, Places, The great outdoors, Memorials. The regulations applied to children too. The 1951 Waterfront Dispute lasted for 21 days, compared to 1893 waterfront strike which lasted for 10 weeks and 1913 waterfront strike that lasted for 8 workers. The immediate cause of the 1951 waterfront dispute was the post-war economic situation. Bitterness between supporters of the watersiders and FOL leaders, such as Fintan Patrick Walsh, lingered for decades, even though Walsh himself adopted a more militant stance in later years. It was illegal even to give food to strikers’ children. 1951 waterfront dispute In 1951 the wharfies (waterside port workers) refused to work overtime, in protest over a low pay increase. The dispute was took place immediately after the end of the Second World War in a climate of Cold War suspicion. Prime Minister Holland denounced it as ‘an infamous act of terrorism’. The Labour Party was in office since 1936, a Peter Fraser had been New Zealand's war Prime Minister. This did not apply to waterside workers, whose … As the cost of living soared, workers demanded higher wage increases. There are interviews with many involved, from … The 1998 waterfront dispute was a time when bad things were allowed in the name of policy goals that were, ultimately, meaningless. 1974, First day of competition at Christchurch Commonwealth Games, Home The 1951 Waterfront Dispute: What caused it, what were its consequences, and why did it polarise New Zealand society? I agree with outofthewoods, most material surrounding the 1951 Waterfront Dispute is in support of the ‘wharfies’ as opposed to the Government or Federation of Labour for instance. The Coalition was elected to government in March1996 having made commitments to the electorate to improveefficiency and the labour market by substantially restructuringindustrial relations, particularly by offering greater choice inmany aspects of industrial relations. Junior doctors’ strike. Arguing that New Zealand’s vital export trade was under threat, the National government declared a state of emergency on 21 February. understand the end of the 1951 waterfront dispute, it is not enough, I argue, to examine the actions of union and political leaders like Jock Barnes, President of the New Zealand Waterfront Workers Union, and Prime Minister Sidney Holland. This site is produced by the History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. In 1951 the wharfies (waterside port workers) refused to work overtime, in protest over a low pay increase. During World War II, the New Zealand government played a much larger role in peoples’ lives than it ever had before. See 1951 in art, 1951 in literature, Category:1951 books. Page 2 … Radio and television. The 1951 waterfront dispute The Second World War saw an unprecedented expansion of government control over the lives of New Zealanders. The 1951 waterfront dispute Despite the restrictions, the wharfies enjoyed the support of a well-organised relief network. Their employers locked them out of the workplace, and the government banned union meetings and publications. Prime Minister Sidney Holland‟s National government took control of the dispute, seeing an opportunity to destroy the New Zealand Waterside Workers Union (NZWWU), which was a militant union in a key sector of the economy. Meanwhile, Walter Nash’s Labour Party Opposition sat uncomfortably on the fence, denouncing government repression but refusing to back either side. New Zealand entered a mutual defence pact with the United States and Australia – ANZUS Population. For many unionists, though, the watersiders’ loyalty card – bearing the words ‘stood loyal right through’ – was a prized badge of honour. See: 1951 in music. Other unionists, including coal miners, freezing workers, seamen, hydroelectric power workers and some drivers and railwaymen, went on strike in protest at the government’s action. The Waterside Workers’ Union protested by refusing to work overtime from 13 February. Holland immediately called a snap election, which took place on 1 September 1951. Therein the cause of the waterfront disputes was attributed to the attitude of "Barnes and Hill" on the various waterfront Commissions, and to the machinations of the Communists. Bombing and result. In 1951, New Zealand temporarily became a police state. Train drivers were warned in advance and no one was hurt, but coal supplies were severely disrupted. Protest and reform Importance of the waterfront. Read the full article. The 1951 waterfront lockout began, in February 1951, as a dispute between ship-owners and watersiders over wages. One illustration of the implications ofthe new legislation is the waterfront dispute which began to unfoldin January 1998. The men were fathers, husbands, brothers and sons, and their lack of wages affected the family that they lived with and their wider kin networks. This dispute gives the Labour Party a good weapon with which to fight the next election. Read the full article. On several occasions, unionist street protests were broken up by ranks of baton-wielding police. The thesis examines families in order to write a gendered social history of the 1951 waterfront dispute. and less contained 1951 waterfront dispute. Social impact of labour disputes . The following day Prime Minister Holland warned that New Zealand was ‘at war’. 1951 Waterfront Dispute papers and ephemera. Under the pragmatic leadership of Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Labour government introduced military conscription, industrial manpowering and a comprehensive economic stabilisation system. The mostly British-owned shipping companies that employed the wharfies instead offered 9%, claiming that earlier waterfront wage increases should be taken into account. Strike-breakers enter the wharves, 1951 A covered truck carrying strike-breaking (or scab) waterside workers enters a guarded gate at the Wellington wharves during the 1951 waterfront dispute. The waterfront occupied a strategic place in New Zealand’s export economy and had long been a flashpoint of industrial conflict. Instead of simply forcing the wharfies to accept the original 9% increase, the government resolved to destroy the old Waterfront Workers’ Union and replace it with new unions in each port. The 1951 waterfront dispute was an epoch in New Zealand history. America's crusade against communism struck a chord in New Zealand during the 1951 waterfront dispute. A New Zealand census was held in 1951. Korean War. More than half a century later, the 1951 dispute continues to hold a central place in the history and mythology of the New Zealand labour movement. This site is produced by the History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. He felt it was New Zealanders duty and obligation to support Britian in struggle against the Nazi Germany and during the War, he introduced military conscription, … The opposing sides denounced each other as Nazis, Commies, traitors and terrorists. Site Quicklinks Culture & Society. Meet the NZHistory.net.nz team. There were a wide range of economic, political and social causes to the waterfront … All non-text content is subject to specific conditions. Connie Birchfield recalled how: Somebody produced a slaughtered sheep to share. After years of restrictions and shortages, the economy was booming. This dispute gives the Labour Party a good weapon with which to fight the next election. A key political cause the 1951 Waterfront Dispute was the general dissatisfaction of Labour Government during and after the Second World War. 15 February: The start of the "1951 Waterfront dispute" a massive labor strike lasting for 151 days. Supporters even tried to set up a ‘freedom radio’ station with a transmitter hidden deep in the Wellington hills. The Australian waterfront dispute of 1998 was an event in Australian industrial relations history, in which the Patrick Corporation undertook a restructuring of their operations for the purpose of dismissing their workforce. Vietnam War. Militant unionism was dealt a crushing blow. It was illegal even to give food to strikers’ children. The 1951 Waterfront Dispute was simply not a stuggle over working conditions amd wage claims, it was clash and a power struggle between the working class, the employers and the Government. Page 2 – Countdown to confrontation . At the height of the dispute around 22,000 workers were involved. The 1951 waterfront dispute Page 2 – Countdown to confrontation. In 1951, during the New Zealand waterfront dispute and strike, an explosion destroyed the Huntly rail bridge.The bridge linked four open-cast mines and several pits in the Waikato coalfields with the Huntly township and the railway line, so its demolition was intended to disrupt coal supplies.. Arts and literature. Meet the NZHistory.net.nz team. This collection of 27 original pamphlets, newsletters and newspapers relating to the 1951 Waterfront Dispute was donated as a single collection to Wellington City Libraries in the 1980s. The 1951 New Zealand Waterfront Dispute: Home Key People and Groups Escalating Tensions The 151-day dispute The Aftermath Gallery Blog The second Federation of Labour. I got the impression it was stolen but now I know there were friendly farmers who donated sheep, and market gardeners who gave vegetables, and tradespeople who provided other goods and services for nothing. Train drivers were warned beforehand, so there were zero injuries or casualties. In fact, only 8% of the country's union members took part in the dispute – the other 200,000 continued working. This country’s two largest strikes prior to 1951 – in 1890 and 1913 – were both largely centred on the wharves. See a transcript and reference for this file. The shipping companies in turn refused to hire them unless they agreed to work extra hours. Draconian emergency regulations imposed rigid censorship, gave police sweeping powers of search and arrest and made it an offence for citizens to assist strikers – even giving food to their children was outlawed. The Government's industrial relations policyregarded the awards and orders of t… This photograph was taken on 5 June. In response, the locked out workers began to strike. The rise of the Labour Party in 1935 saw a radical changes and a new start to the organisation of the Fedration of Labour (FoL). The 1951 Waterfront Dispute was a significant event in New Zealand's labour history. The 1951 waterfront dispute is one of the most widely written about industrial struggles in New Zealand history. (1) Legislation becameeffective in early 1997. Page 4. The domestic work of ensuring that a family managed without wages was largely women‟s and was as much part of the dispute as collective union work, which was often organised to exclude women. The 1951 waterfront dispute One victim suffered a suspected fractured skull, and 20 others had to be treated for lacerations, concussion and bruises. It lasted 151 days, and 22,000 New Zealanders were affected by the lockouts and associated strikes. The opposing sides denounced each other by abusive names as Nazis, Commies, traitors and terrorists. The 1951 waterfront dispute was an epoch in New Zealand history. The electorate delivered the government a resounding victory, with National winning 54% of the vote and four more seats than in 1949. 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