GETTING THE RIGHT RESULT -

The first bulk loader installed at Bunbury wharf was a large and complex piece of machinery.

It was operated by just two men and there was a need to train others to ensure that the machine could always be in operation when needed.

A list of 12 of the most competent workers was drawn up by management and submitted to the WWF (Waterside Workers Federation) so that the men could be trained to use the new equipment.

The union held a meeting but came back and said that just selecting men in this way went against union principles and any men who volunteered to be trained should be considered.

So many men volunteered that the training places were expanded to 16 and the management selected 16 of the men they thought would be best for the job.

The union rep explained that this was not the way things were done and all the names of the volunteers had to be put in a hat and the men who would get the training would be selected at random.

A meeting was held and the union rep came back to management with the list of men whose names had been drawn out.

Management commented that it was a miracle that the men selected randomly were exactly the same ones that were on the list they had been drawn up. The union reply simply responded; 'Miracle my foot, I never put the other names in the hat!'.

From the book 'Full Steam Ahead' by John Willinge

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