The possibility that the Egyptian ship, Cleopatra, would have to leave the New York harbor with its cargo not unloaded was seen here today as the result of the federal court’s refusal yesterday for the second time, to issue an injunction barring the picketing of the United Arab Republic vessel.
Picketing of the ship by members of the Seafarers’ International Union continued today after a temporary injunction was denied yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas F. Murphy. He ruled that the SIU, which has been picketing the ship since its arrival here from Alexandria on April 13, was engaged in a bona fide “labor dispute” rather than political action. Last week, in the same court, Judge Edward Weinfeld denied a motion for a restraining order against the picketing.
The SIU is picketing the ship in protest against UAR, blacklisting of American ships which trade with Israel, The union maintains that the UAR’s blacklisting operations rob American sailors of jobs. The International Longshoremen’s Association refused to allow its members to unload the Cleopatra’s cargo while a sister union is picketing.
Judge Murphy’s ruling, said Paul Hall, president of the SIU, “is a vindication of our position,” “The court recognizes,” he stated, “that we are properly protesting the loss of jobs and mistreatment. We have every intention of continuing this action until the situation is corrected.”
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