Overtime in the Docks
SIR,—The Spectator of February 22nd commented that "coal-miners have to be singularly unreasonable or extraordinarily foolish before they forfeit the admiration and respect in which the general public normally holds them." This is certainly true of coal-miners, but unfortunately it cannot be said of the dockers. The general public finds it difficult to admire and respect the dockers, and the dockers in turn make no attempt to win admiration and respect.
Here in Belfast we have had recently an example Of petty conduct by our dockers in this anxious time for our country. Some of these men are required on Sunday mornings, for about half-an-hour, to unload cars from the cross-channel boats. For this work they receive 21s. A few weeks ago, when they were notified that no men would be needed for that coming Sunday, they immediately thought that they should get their 21s., but, naturally, there being no work to do this was not paid to them. On the following Monday, owing to the large amount of cargo, the dockers were requested by the port authorities to work overtime. After debate they agreed to do this on one condition—that they would be paid 21s. for the previous day. The authorities yielded, and these dockers much to their inward amusement were paid—sortie for lying in bed. This is the action of men who are earning from £15 to £20 a week, and who are certain of at least £4 a week even if there is no work.
I cannot help feeling that when difficult days come, as they will surely do if this spirit prevails, these people and others like- them will have no one to blame but themselves.—Yours faithfully,
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