Fighting Wage Cuts

In protest, the Watersiders (in reality the TUC) began to refuse to work overtime from February 10. This overtime ban spread to cover every New Zealand port. As the ban spread, workers began to get dismissed. The 1951 lockout had begun.

Overcome by a wave of panic (or was it a calculated move?) the Government implemented the infamous Public Safely Conservation Act of 1932 and introduced the "Waterfront Strike Emergency Regulations". Under this pernicious piece of legislation the Minister of Labour could suspend awards, seize union funds and use armed force in cases of strike. It became illegal to hold pickets, demonstrations, meetings, to print posters or write favourably about the lockout, or even to give food to workers and their families.