Firemen obey strike order

Press, 5 July 1978, Page 8

Firemen obey strike order

NZPA-Reuter Memphis Striking firemen, accused by Memphis officials of trying to burn down this city of 800,000 people, have decided to obey a court order and return to work. A union meeting attended by more than 1000 firefighters agreed to end a ihree-day walk-out after city officials obtained an injunction against the strike. More than 300 fires were reported during the stoppage, which plunged the city into a state of emergency. Many of the blazes were believed to have been set by arsonists. One spectacular blaze destroyed a huge disused grain elevator and feed mill in the city centre. Most of the fires occurred

in vacant buildings and no deaths or injuries were reported. But authoritative sources set the total losses during the strike at millions of dollars. Hundreds of National Guardsmen, forest rangers, servicemen, and volunteers [ took over from the strikers, who were accused by the police director (Mr Winslow Chapman) of setting at least 90 per cent of the fires. Two firemen have been arrested on arson charges, and a third striker was charged with aggravated battery after resisting arrest ; when a can of petrol was found in his car. The city and the firemen’s ■ union will resume negotia--1 tions for a new pay agree® ! ment. The strike was in support erf demands for inI creased pay for night work.