AUSTRALIAN DOCKERS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27911, 7 March 1956, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN DOCKERS

New Strike Next Week Likely

(Rec. 11.30 p.m.) CANBERRA. Mar. 6. Australia may become embroiled in another nation-wide dock strike next week, according to reports reaching Canberra today. The Minister of Labour (Mr Harold Holt) told the House of Representatives that he had learned unofficially that the Waterside Workers’ Federation contemplated certain action early next week Mr Holt said he was seeking details, but in the meantime the Government was watching developments and intended to take adequate measures to meet any situation that might develop on the wharves. The Waterside Workers’ Federation has called a 24-hour stoppage in all ports on dates to be fixed next week to consider a report on the federation’s wage claim now before the Arbitration Court. A nation-wide strike by dockers in mid-January and early February kept nearly 200 ships idle in 53 ports. It caused a huge backlog of goods being imported and exported, and its effects are still being felt. Nearly 10l)0 dock workers walked off 11 ships at Brisbane yesterday in protest against alleged harsh wharf discipline. They were to meet the employers today to discuss their grievances. The walk-off occurred after the Stevedoring Industry Board suspended 16 men besause of alleged insufficient effort.