STRIKE THREAT BY DOCKERS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25388, 10 January 1948, Page 7

STRIKE THREAT BY DOCKERS

Australian Dispute Over Wages .

EARNINGS CUT BY 40-HOUR WEEK

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, January 9. The reduction in pay imposed by the introduction of the 40-hour working week threatens to precipitate a shipping hold-up throughout Australia. The men affected are members of the Ships’ Dockers’ and Painters’ Union, which will begin strike action to-night as a protest.

These men are paid by the hour. They have been notified that with their hours of work reduced by four they will earn 16s less a week. The men are demanding the same weekly payment as formerly, because they say the Federal 40-hour week award stipulates that there shall be no reduction in wages.

About 250 painters and dockers employed by the Union Steam Ship Company have decided that, unless their claims are met, they will strike tonight.

The Federal Arbitration Court has been notified of the dispute, in which about 6000 men throughout Australia are involved.

The Newcastle painters and dockers say that they will not work after tonight for the present rates of pay. In Brisbane, the dockers and painters will hold a mass meeting on Sunday to discuss strike action.*-

In Melbourne, 700 members of the union will strike to-night unless their rates of pay are increased. They are asking for an increase of 3d an hour. On their present hourly rate the men receive £8 4s a week for 44 hours’ work.