Shipping Strike In New Phase

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31091, 21 June 1966, Page 15

Shipping Strike In New Phase

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, June 20. The British seamen’s strike today entered its sixth week with the first signs of collapse in union solidarity and with the Government planning emergency measures to avert economic chaos.

First signs of the rank-and-file revolt in the strike which has tied up 847 British ships in home ports came last night at the English Channel port of Newhaven, where seamen voted in favour of negotiating for a return to work.

the executive’s decision on Friday to continue the strike despite peace appeals by the Prime Minister, Mr Wilson. Mr Wilson will tell Parliament later today of his vain efforts to budge the executive from their demand that shipowners grant an immediate 40-hour-week. P.M. URGES

The Prime Minister personally urged the seamen to accept a court of inquiry’s recommendation that the 56hour week be cut to 48 now, with a 40-hour week in a year’s time. Today’s statement in the House of Commons by Mr Wilson comes as the government prepares to renew state of emergency reserve powers proclaimed three weeks ago.

In the next 48 hours the government may have to order Navy tugs into harbours to start clearing strikebound British ships to free berths

for incoming ships with essential supplies. This could touch off support for seamen from militant dockers in some ports. In addition to freeing such ports as London and Liverpool, the government under its emergency authority might also:

Use troops to begin stocking power stations with fuel reserves for winter because the strike has forced fuel transport to be diverted from coastal freighters to trucks and railroads. Requisition aircraft to boost delivery of mail and vital supplies and raw materials to Northern Ireland, which has been most affected by the strike. The government is not expected to order price controls since food prices have remained relatively stable in spite of the strike.

From today the other 33 branches of the 62,500-strong union will be meeting throughout Britain to discuss