COOKS’ DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 189, 12 May 1928, Page 9

COOKS’ DISPUTE

OUTLOOK NOT HOPELESS

IDEA OF GENERAL STRIKE NOT WELCOMED

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Rec. May 11, 7.45 p.m.)

Sydney, May 11.

The waterfront outlook at present is dull, but is not regarded as hopeless. Few maritime or longshore workers welcome the idea of a general strike. Disruption in the seamen’s ranks and the prevalence already of considerable unemployment are considered to be strong factors against a widespread hold up. The fact of the shipowners having postponed action till next week is considered a favourable augury that a way may yet be found out of the impasse. The cooks are passively resisting, and decline to make official statements. They resent any other unions* intervention to settle their troubles. They insist that the only method of settlement will be for the shipowners to grant a conference to permit of an agreement being drawn up to replace the suspended award. This conference has already been refused. The men adhere to their original claim that an additional man should be granted for the Ulimaroa’s galley.

It is expected that the emergency committee of the Trades Union Council, will approach Judge Dethridge early next week with a request to him to reopen peace negotiations, the Judge having stated that he would ever be ready for that purpose.

SHIPOWNERS’ DECISION

MEN GIVEN UNTIL MONDAY Melbourne, May 11. It is officially announced that the shipowners decided yesterday that the ships’ cooks, bakers, and butchers be given till Monday to engage on the terms of the recent award, but, if the idle ships are not manned, the owners will discontinue employing members of the union on the terms and conditions of the suspended award. The owners in any case insist, upon a free selection, the total abandonment of the roster system, and upon the right to engage men with good discharges.

ANTI-STRIKE clause in FUTURE AWARDS

(Rec. May 11, 11.15 p.m.)

Melbourne, May 11.

Judge Dethridge stated in the Arbitration Court to-day that he intended to insert an anti-strike clause in future awards, so that the court would have power to suspend any award in the event of unreasonable strikes, lock-outs or job control.