STRIKES IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26353, 22 February 1951, Page 7

STRIKES IN BRITAIN

Railwaymen May Resume (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 21. Hope is growing that the wave of industrial unrest threatening Britain’s railways can be brought under control. The Railway Executive yesterday made new wages offers, which will be discussed to-day when union leaders and railway officials meet for the third successive day of negotiations. It is expected that most dockers who stopped work yesterday will resume to-day. Railwaymen all over Britain are oeginnihg “go slow” movements dr are preparing to strike at the week-end. The railwaymen have been campaigning for more than a year for wage rises ranging from 7* to 15 per cent. Nearly 20.000 dockers In London, Glasgow, Greehock, Manchester, Liverpool, and Birkenhead stopped work yesterday, when seven leaders of the recent unofficial dock strike appeared On remand at Bow Street Magistrate's Court to answer charges of inciting the dockers to join illegal Strikes. The National Dock Board announced at noon that 19,540 men were out, including 10,840 London men. At least 5000 of the london strikers came from the biggest dock area, where 40 oceangoing cargo ships are berthed. Hearing of the case against tne seven dockers was adjourned until next Tuesday, bail being renewed to all defendants. Hundreds of dockers, including 50 from Merseyside, streamed towards Bow street this morning for the hearin?Vhen the police closed the Court doors and announced that the public gallery was full, about 350 dockers were standing outside. Many of th»:n wore black armbands on which were written “Bury 1305"—a protest against the unrescinded war-time law, known as Order 1305, which bans strikes or lock-outs unless 21 days’ notice to the Labour Ministry has been given. As the seven accused walked into Court their workmates cheered them, patted them cn the back, and wished them good luck.