GAS STRIKE IN SYDNEY

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25496, 17 May 1948, Page 3

GAS STRIKE IN SYDNEY

—« — gUPPLY TO 300,000 HOMES CEASES jgIFT WORKERS’ CLAIMS Press Association—Copyright) ,«• 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 18. sithout the slightest warning, shift Jrkers at ttie Mortlake gasworks Eck yesterday, cutting off gas in than 300.000 homes. Supplies to 1,000,000 people living in all “Sts of Sydney, except North Shore, ifee cut off at 9 p.m. yesterday. I first news most householders I d of the strike came in the form of IJS, announcements and warnings on ■ Eradio that mains in all houses lamid he turned off to prevent ex- " mixtures forming in the pipes, fpe strike is expected to extend to „ North Shore Gas Company tofjrow, but this company will atLpt to carry on for a short time by Zg other employees. The methods of the strikers in causae the public inconvenience have Sused widespread anger. No time given for householders to arrange !sr substitute equipment, and many Malay dinners will have to be Mown away. pie men say they have struck uainst an “unconciliatory decision by Commissioner.” They double time for Sundays, time B d a quarter for night shifts, an inaease in the industrial allowance Jen 6s to 12s a week, and general earginal increases. The New 7 South Wales Minister of public Works and Local Government (jlr J. J. Cahill) says he has no reMOSibility in the situation, as the (sprite is between a privately-owned ampany and the union.