MEN ALLEGE LOCK-OUT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 7

MEN ALLEGE LOCK-OUT

NO CONFERENCE AS YET.

SYDNEY, 3rd May.'

The employees are reticent regarding the forty-four hour trouble. In a statement issued this afternoon on behalf of the metal traders, the Employers' Association says that all that the employers have to say at present is that they have registered .their protest ( against' the action of the unionists in refusing to observe awards. It is hoped th unions -will see the folly of their actions and listen to reason. Officials of the affected unions have been in continuous session throughout the day, receiving reports, considering the position, and, among other things, the official announcement made yesterday that all claims for forty-four hours lodged in the Federal Arbitration Court by Wednesday will be dealt with next week. The question of lodging such applications and other matters will be dealt with as the situation develops. On belialf of the uriona it is claimed that the men were locked out. According to union report twenty-six city and suburban firms only to-day dismissed their employees. They claim that a number of others defied the Metal Traders' Association ukase, and conceded the men's claims. On the other hand, it is stated on behalf of the employers that in some shops the men defied the unions and continued work. So far there has been no suggestion of conference from either side. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, referring to tho industrial trouble, announced that early in the coming Federal session legislation would be introduced to reconstitute the Federal Arbitration Court, giving it full judicial power, and provision being made to enable the question of a uniform working week to bo dealt with. He added that the Court should be ready to start an inquiry as soon as the parties were ready, and trusted that no harmfiil action would be taken in the meantime.