WATERSIDE UNREST

Evening Post, Issue 27, 31 July 1935, Page 9

WATERSIDE UNREST

ON PACIFIC COAST

CONFERENCE SUMMONED

EFFORT TO AVOID STRIKE

WASHINGTON, July 29,

The Department of Labour today summoned a conference between marine union leaders and employers' representatives in an attempt to adjust differences which, it is feared,' are leading to another general shipping strike on the 'Pacific Coast. .

From statements issued today it appears that the activities of Mr. T. Bridges will be the principal issue before the conference. Shippers complain that he has repeatedly broken the arbitration agreement reached in settlement of last summer's strike, and for that reason are prepared to denounce the agreement when it comes up for extension next month. They say that Mr. Bridges, who controls the San Francisco longshoremen, has been calling sympathetic strikes for the benefit of the Vancouver strikers, whose organisation is not covered by the agreement, and that he refuses to allow vessels loaded by strike-breakers at Vancouver to be unloaded at San Francisco, in consequence of which considerable flour and other perishables are rotting in San Francisco Bay. It is understood that the ship owners are prepared to insist that Mr. Bridges either abide by the agreement or be removed from the leadership of the San Francisco union.

As Mr. Bridges has already defied the authority of the National Longshoremen's Union, he is not expected to give up his position without a fight.