SIT-IN STRIKE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 54, 13 December 1946, Page 3

SIT-IN STRIKE

GAS WORKERS IN SYDNEY RATIONING EXPECTED TO-NIGHT^ (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright). (Rec. 11.33 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day, Though attempts will be made to-day to settle the gas strike, which involves 4000 employees in three States* drastic gas rationing is expected to begin in Sydney at midnight to-night. The State Cabinet is considering recommendations that the use of gas should be prohibited, except for 2| hours each week-day and two hours on Saturday. In Melbourne efforts to settle the * strike will be made at a conference between Die National Gas Association and the emergency committee of the Australasian Council of Trade Unions. Gas workers in Sydney continued the sit-in strike * throughout last night. After addresses by union leaders they decided that they would not return to work or abandon the sit-in strike until their demands were conceded. About 250 men bought food at local stores or had it brought to work by their wives and children in preparation for an all-night camp. So far this phase is confined to Mortlake, Sydney’s principal gasworks. North Shore Gas Company employees went home on union instructions, leaving pickets behind. " Forty boiler-makers at three Sydney works will cease work to-day in sympathy with the strikers, and are expected to.be joined by other maintenance workers. Gas companies are trying to maintain the supply with volunteers from the salaried staff, but already pressure is'falling off in the suburbs, and has proved insufficient at peak periods. The effect of the strike will be felt mostly by cafes, restaurants and coffee shops, which depend largely on gas appliances. Bakers report that the effect- on the bread supply would not be marked, as most plants now used electricity.