CONTINUATION OF STRIKE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23915, 6 April 1943, Page 5

CONTINUATION OF STRIKE

DECISION OF SYDNEY WATERSIDERS REFUSAL TO WORK UNDER GANG SYSTEM (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY. April 8. By a majority of 200 a mass meeting of nearly 4000 Sydney watersid# workers decided to persist in the refusal to work under the gang system. Pleas by union leaders and other state branches for a resumption o t work were unsuccessful The original decision in favour or striking, made at a mass meeting of 2000 watersidcrs on March 28, was almost unanimous. The gang system, already in operation in other states, was introduced at Sydney a week ago by the Stevedoring Industry Commission. Since then the watersidcrs have refused to work and ships have been worked by the Army. Under the gang system men are picked up in gangs of about 20. Gang* may be moved from one job to another as needed, thus eliminating delays in handling cargoes. Under the old system individual men were picked for particular jobs. Meanwhile about 3000 soldiers have been unloading ships and dispatching supplies fqr the battle zones.

Union leaders, who advised the men to return to work, described the strike as “rotten.” They fear that serious extensions of the strike may occur.

“Four thousand able-bodied men cannot be permitted to lounge idly about the waterfront while this country is crying out for manpower—while many other thousands of citizens are being taken from their homes and avocations to work in construction camps,” say* the “Sydney Morning Herald," in a leading article to-day, in urging immediate Government intervention in a “senseless, wrongful strike.” The “Sydney Morning Herald” say* that other war-time tasks must be found for workers who have refused to accept the conditions agreed to by their own executive. “Indulgence and appeasement will only encourage industrial turbulence,” it says. “Unruly elements apparently are being blind or indifferent to the fact that the growth of war-time strikes must be ruinous to the Labour Ministry. Mr Curtin is calling upon all people for sacrifices. He and his Government must see to it that no privileged section escapes its obligation to work or fight while soldiers are required to fight and work as well.”

The dispute arose over the Stevedoring Industry Commission’s-decision to introduce the gang system of handling cargo' as from March 29. The system required waterside workers to form gangs of up to 20 to work when and as the commission directed. Under the old system, watersiders were free to choose when they would offer for work, and employers could select the men they wished.

The commission comprises an equal number of employers’ and employees’ representatives with Judge H. B. Piper as chairman. The union representatives are completely in favour of the new scheme and have not been afraid to urge the men to accept it, but the men are hostile. The commission is determined that the men must work under the new system. The Government has not attempted to interfere, but it is known that the Prime Minister; Mr Curtin, has faith in the commission, and will frown on any attempts in the Cabinet to undermine its authority.

Some watersiders fear that the gang system will introduce industrial conscription, taking away control of the men from the union. Others fear that they will have to work harder or forgo protection afforded by a reserved occupation. The commission has pointed out that the workers will not be under greater compulsion than those in any other industry, but the men argue that they are casual workers whose .employment lasts only from hour to [ hour and gives no economic security. Therefore, they should not be asked to attend daily call-ups when there may be no prospect of work. The men claim that under the present system they gained a reputation as the world’s fastest waterside workers, and quote figures to prove it. But the commission says this is no longer so, and that only by adopting the gang system will the port of Sydney attain its former status.