STRIKE CRUMBLING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 145, 1 April 1948, Page 5

STRIKE CRUMBLING

MEN READY TO NEW, v GOTIATE • : ; ± Railway Dispute in > : (N.Z.P.A.—Copyright). - (Rec. II a.m.) BRISBANE, This Day. The crumbling facade of the Queensland railway strike s suffered considerably overnight fol- u lowing a decision; by an overwhelming majority of railwaymen - at Rockhampton, to inform the Premier (Mr Hanlon) that they are ready to negotiate for a settlement. . ■ - i. ■ ■ .y .. : ’ The terms which they have accepted as a settlement basis were, .phose offered a fortnight ago by the Railways Commissioner, Mr Moloney, who restated last night that he would not oppose claims in court. ■ - The men are prepared to return on the basis of a marginal increase off • 12s 4d a week, for tradesmen, and proportional increases for semi-skilled and unskilled’callings, and week-end penalty rates. The original claims, for which 5000 railway employees went on strike on February 2, were 16s for fitters, 13s for semi-skilled workers, lls for labourers, and week-end penalty rates. “We have never closed the door on negotiations,” said Mr Moloney, “But, as Mr Hanlon has said, the negotiations must be made through the Industrial Court. I shall agree to an increase of 12s 4d for tradesmen, and shall support the request for proportional increases, which must be determined by the Court.” The State Council of the Electrical Trades Union, whose members ,are employed in railway workshops, recommended members to resume work on Monday. - Meanwhile a conference of Queensland branches of the Amalgamated Engineering Union which, in the face of mounting opposition, is attempting to define a new strike policy which may be acceptable to mass meetings, failed to reach a decision. It will resume to-day after meeting the Central Disputes Committee. •