AUSTRALIAN DOCKERS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29516, 18 May 1961, Page 15

AUSTRALIAN DOCKERS

24-Hour Strike

(N.Z.P A.-Reuter— Copyright) MELBOURNE, May 17. All Australian ports were idle today when 22,000 watersiders stopped work for 24 hours in protest against the Federal bill for long-service leave for dockers.

The men stopped at 8 a.m. and will resume work at 8 a.m. tomorrow. A meeting of more than 3500 Melbourne dockers adopted a resolution describing the legislation as “fenced with penal clauses” and claimed that the Minister of Labour (Mr William McMahon) introduced it with “indecent haste.” The dockers object to a part of the bill which said that long service leave —three months’ after 20 years’ continuous service—may be deferred if the men stop work illegally. The bill, approved earlier by the House of Representatives, was passed in the second reading stage by 28 votes to 26. It will be debated in committee later today. Bill Opposed Two Democratic Labour Party senators voted with the Opposition against the bill, and a Liberal. Senator R. Wright, abstained. A few minutes earlier, Senator Wright voted with the Opposition on a Government motion, carried by 28 votes to 27. to gag further debate on the bill. Senator Wright explained that he could not support either the Government or the Opposition on the bill, although he vigorously condemned Communist methods on the waterfront.

The stoppage has held up 88 ships in Australian ports In Sydney tomorrow 950 tally clerks will hold a 24hour stoppage, because casual tally clerks ros’ered for work were stood down today.