AN ULTIMATUM.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 9

AN ULTIMATUM.

PROM DOCKERS' UNION. MORE WAGES, OR A STRIKE. (B'.r CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION" COprEIGHI.} (SESTZSI'S TZLtOSAUS.) LONDON, January 29. Following the railway settlement, a dockers' striko is now threaEened. A national conference of delegates of the Transport Workers' Union, held in London to-day, decided to instruct members to strike on February 16th in all ports of Great Britain, unless in the meantime a satisfactory settlement of the wages disputo is reached. Tho dockers demand an increase of 2s a clay, with a guaranteed week's work or pay, in order to meet tho problem of casual labour. Tho employers say tTiat they cannot afford to pay tho increastj demanded, which would cost £2,000,000 per annum, and point to the depression in the shipping industry. THE UNIONS INVOLVED. CASUAL LABOUR EVIL. (ATSTnALIAH AOT K.Z. CASUS ASSOCIATION.) . (Received January 30th, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 29. The unions involved in the dockers' trouble, with their several strengths,

are:— Transport Workers' ... "500,000 National General Workers' ... 443,000 National Amalgamated Labourers' ... 100.000 - Amalgamated Society of Enginemen ... 40,000 Total ... 933,000 The Amalgamated Society of Enginemen, which was founded in 1923, claims to include the key men, who are asking for an increase of half a crown, compared with the older unions' claim for two shillings, which would raise the wage to 12s daily.

Tho Society of Enginemen was not represented at the present conferences and is not bound by Mr Bovin's judgment.

OtfaSr unions include transporters such as omnibiis men, so not all are necessarily involjved.

The ''Daily Chronicle" says:—'The threatened strike at the ports has few features in common with Mr. Bromley's wanton escapade. The. employers say they cannot afford another two shillings, but one way out is 'deeasualisation.' The trouble is that most dockers cannot count on, getting a sufficient number of hours work weekly. The evils of casual labou'r at the docks have beeu exposed again and again; but,, except in Liverpool, there has been no attempt to end. them. Jf the leaders of the shipping and trading world were to put their heads together, they could abolish the casual labour trouble. Until they do, devastating and businessblighting strikes will continue." ,

RAILWAY SETTLEMENT. TERMS OF AGREEMENT. (AUHTEAIiiN AKD H.Z. CASUS ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, January 29. In tho terms .for the railway striko settlement, the railway companies declare that they never contended that the decision of the Wageß Board was obligatory, but they were justified in' giving effect thereto. The companies are prepared to alleviate hardship, which, it had been represented, would be involved in the decision to place drivers and firemen on a mileage basis, so that 130 miles would be equal to one day's pay, but the mileage would be increased to 140 in July, and 150 in January, 1925, unless in the interval it was agreed otherwise. i The companies undertake that there shall be no' dismissals arising out of the application of the decision. All strikers presenting themselves for tho work within reasonable time, will be reinstated as soon' as practicable without preference to seniority. The signatories agree. to use- every endeavour to secure that all railwaymen shall work together amicably, and that any proved breach of this condition shall be a case for disciplinary action by the companies. A WORTH-WHILE STEIKE. MR BROMLEY'S OPINION. (AUSTEALIAH AND S.I. CABLE ASSOCIATIon.) (Received January 30th, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, January 30. Mr Bromley, in a statement, nays that the wages sayed to drivers and firemen under the new mileage clause •will exceed the cost of th© strike to the union. Tho companies affirm that the loco, men could have obtained as much before the strike. , COUNTING THE COST. '(Eoceivod January 31st, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, January 29. It is estimated that the strike cost the loco, men £90.000 and the firemen £60,000. The union disbursed £230,000. The railway companies lost £2,000,000. .