President Kennedy’s decision to invoke the Taft-Hartley Law to end the 11-day nationwide shipping strike was greeted in Honolulu with mixed reaction.
Shippers were hopeful the move will prevent further harm to the economy and relieve shortages.… But leaders of the unions involved expressed disappointment with the action, saying it puts Government into the strike, in effect, on the side of management.
Representative David C. McClung, legal counsel for the striking Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, Local 100, said the timing of the action was unfortunate.
He noted … the unions had already offered to transport foodstuffs and other “necessaries” in order to prevent hardship in the Islands.
“Coming at this time,” McClung said, “when the strike was totally effective, the President’s action will have the effect of helping management’s side of the dispute.”
He said a decision on whether to obey the injunction, which may logically follow Kennedy’s decision, will not be decided until it is issued.
“It will depend upon whether the members of the union want to allow themselves to be forced to go back to work at a time when the strike is becoming most effective,” he said.
Spokesmen for other unions (that) have stopped work in support of the (strike) said they will take their lead from the Marine Engineers.
The end of the strike, even if it comes before the weekend, will be too late to stop cancellation of another Matson passenger sailing.
The voyage of the Matsonia, due to sail from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. Tuesday, was canceled this morning. It was booked with 718 passengers en route to Honolulu and 705 passengers for the return trip. …
Once a passenger voyage is canceled, a Matson spokesman said, it is not rescheduled, but the ship remains in port until the next regularly scheduled voyage.
The president’s action was welcomed … by shippers who have been awaiting delayed supplies from the Mainland.
Foodstuff shipments have created the most anxiety, and grocers have reported heavy buying of rice, canned milk and other staples.
Fresh vegetables from the Mainland have been growing daily shorter on Island grocery shelves.
