PACIFIC COAST DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22194, 10 September 1937, Page 13

PACIFIC COAST DISPUTE

LONGSHOREMEN AND TEAMSTERS MENACING ATMOSPHERE REPORTED SEVERAL PORTS PARALYSED BY CONGESTION (UNITED MESS ASSOCIATION COI'VUIGUT.) (Received September 9, 11.30 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, September 8. A more menacing atmosphere is accompanying the waterfront dispute between the longshoremen and the teamsters. The teamsters have paralysed Oakland, Richmond, and other East River ports, but the secretary of the union denied that they intend to move in when the congestion of cargoes stopped the longshoremen’s activities. The longshoremen’s leader, Mr Harry Bridges said: “They will have their heads sewn up if they try it.” It is expected the congestion wull compel shippers to place an embargo on the affected ports for 10 days. The dispute between the longshoremen 'and teamsters began on September 1, when Mr Harry Bridges personally led 500 pickets of the Committee for Industrial Organisation in a raid against American Federation of Labour teamsters at a warehouse on the waterfront. This action was the outcome of factional rivalry for jurisdiction. The police fought through the mob and persuaded the teamsters to desist. The Teamsters’ Union, in retaliation, placed an embargo on all cargo in the San Francisco docks until the question of jurisdiction is settled.