STRIKES AT BREWERIES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29380, 6 December 1960, Page 18

STRIKES AT BREWERIES

N.S.W. Beer Supply Threatened

(IV.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, December 5.

An overtime ban at Sydney’s two major breweries today developed into strikes which threatened the supply of Christmas beer- throughout New South Wales.

The stoppages at present involve all labour at Toohey’s Brewery and the bottle beer section of Tooth’s. The secretary of the Federated Enginedrivers’ and Firemens’ Association (Mr D. J. Ferguson) said the strike began early today when staff labour at both breweries did “preparation work” normally carried out by 150 members of his union.

The men had not arrived early to do this, work because the New South Wales Labour Council, last Thursday, had ordered an overtime ban at the brewery. This was in support of claims for a £4 a week industry allowance, four-weeks’ annual leave, and two-weeks’ sick leave for all brewery workers. Mr Ferguson said his members had to work overtime in order to have the plant ready when production workers reported for duty today. Liquor trade unionists and other unionists had refused to use steam and power provided by the staff labour.

The dispute involves all 14 unions at the brewery, including maintenance workers, building workers, electricians, and transport workers.