DOCK STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27501, 8 November 1954, Page 11

DOCK STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA

Leaders Attempt Settlement (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 pan.) SYDNEY, November 7. Right-wing union leaders are trying desperately to find a formula to settle the Australian watersideworkers strike quickly. Otherwise, they fear that thousands of other unionists not involved in the dispute will be laid on. Christmas reSUH ° f Btrike ’ all Austra l«an cities face a black Watersiders in Australian ports have been out since Tuesday m protest against the Federal Government’s new Stevedoring Industry Bill. They object to a clause providing that in future the employers and not the Waterside Workers’ Federation should have the right to recruit new labour for the waterfront.

Moderate union officials say that they have abandoned any hope of the Government retreating on the major clauses of the bill. ' •

They believe, however, that the Government may agree to set up machinery which would give the Federation some say in the engagement of new labour.

In Melbourne from tomorrow the Australian Council of Trade Union officials will devote two days to the task of settling the dispute. The Arbitration Court’s decision on Friday to grant general increases in margins is expected to have a moderating influence on the union’s stand.

Strikers are expected to begin picketing wharves tomorrow. Picket captains will be appointed, and the strikers plan a round-the-clo<flc vigil of wharves. A senior police officer said that more than 50 police, with members of the pillage squad, were patrolling the waterfront 24 hours a day. They would continue to do so until the strike ended. A waterfront authority said'.that if the conference failed and the strike was prolonged, there was likely to be

a hold-up of shipments from abroad. Because of the recent London dockers’ strike, it would be “touch and go” whether normal Christmas shipments reached Sydney in time. If the strike extended mto the Christmas period the ships from London would be tied up. Striking waterside workers propose to march on Parliament House, Canberra, on Tuesday. They have decided to demonstrate when the adjourned debate takes place on the stevedoring industry legislation.