NEWSPAPER STRIKE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27628, 7 April 1955, Page 11

NEWSPAPER STRIKE

Court Of Inquiry Now Sitting (NJZ. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.20 pan.) LONDON, April 6. A Government Court of Inquiry will begin today a detailed probe of the, causes and circumstances of London’s newspaper wage claim strike now in its thirteenth day.

Towards the middle of next week the court, a fact-finding body which has no power to enforce a settlement, is expected to report to Sir Walter Monckton, the Minister of Labour, analysing the strike and making recommendations. When the report has been published Ministry of Conciliation officers will ask both sides whethef it provides a basis for settling the dispute. The inquiry offers the only present chance of a break in the strike, which both unions yesterday recognised as official—a move which threatened a prolonged stoppage. Sir Walter Monckton told the House of Commons yesterday that the inquiry would “do its best” to complete its work before April 15 when the dismissal notices served on more than 15,000 non-editorial newspaper workers not involved in the stoppage will take effect.

A further threat developed yesterday when another union decided to lodge a new claim for more pay. It is the national Society of Operative Printers and Assistants, which has 13,000 members, mostly in clerical work, and which is seeking a 12s a week rise. Its executive said the union wished to meet the proprietors within the next 10 days.