SIDNEY FERRY SERVICE.

Evening Star, Issue 15139, 22 March 1913, Page 5

SIDNEY FERRY SERVICE.

MEN ON STRIKE. SOME UNSELFISH WORKERS. MANLY EMPLOYEES REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, March 21. The prospect as far as weather conditions and attractive programmes were concerned of a pleasing holiday was largely Spoiled by the sudden tying up of the greater portion "of the ferry services. Trouble has been rife with the ferry hands for a considerable time owing to the delay in the Wages Board dealing with grievances. A strike was threatened early in the month, but was averted by Hon. Mr Carmichael intervening and promising to have the proceedings of the board expedited. The arrangement apparently proved unsatisfactory, and this morning travellers, on reaching the wharves after 9 o'clock, found the steamers on most of the services tied up and deserted, and were unable to cross the harbor. Good Friday is given over to family picmcs_ and the Agricultural Show. As the day wore on great crowds of disappointed picnickers and show visitors were massed at both ends of the services. The development was so sudden that they did not know of it till they landed at the wharves. Those at the city end were, able to avail themselves of trains elsewhere or to Manly, to which place the steamers continued to run, but the crowds at North Sydney and other parts across the harbor were compelled to return home or to reach their destinations by circuitous routes. The boatmen and launches reaped a rich harvest from those who were willing to pay shillings or more for the wonted penny trip. The strikers justify their action by affirming that the Wages Board, sitting one day weekly, had been for six weeks taking the unfinished evidence of the Ferry Company's manager. At that rate, of progress their turn would never come. Shortly after the strike started the representatives of the men conferred with the Ferry Company's manager, who promised that if they returned to work the company would agree to make any award given by the board retrospective from January 1. This was not agreeable to the younger section of the strikers, who are in a majority, and it was rejected. Despite strong efforts to induce them to join, the Manly ferry employees refused, on the ground that many extra thousands of people, largely consisting of working men and their families, who were debarred from going elsewhere, had gone to Manly, and it would be unfair to leave them stranded. Developments, however, are possible if a settlement is not reached tomorrow morning. The fleet of idle steamers lying alongside the wharves kept up steam throughout the day in readiness to resume running. Crowds hung round watching developments. The city, which is generally deserted on Good Friday, was quite lively, disappointed pleasure hunters wandering about the streets during the afternoon. A big fleet of small craft of all descriptions is plying for hire. The outer suburbs along Lane Cove and other rivers will be in a parlous condition if communication with the citv is cut off. A BUSY .MINISTER. • The Hon. Mr Carmichael made a statement to-day that he heard yesterday that there was likely to be trouble, and ho detailed an industrial inspector to get into touch with the ferrymen's executive with a view, if possible, of averting a strike. He received an assurance that there would be no trouble. After the strike cominuiced Mr Canuichael conferred with the managers of the ferry con.panies. with tire result that the companies' offer named above was submitted. Mr Carmichael offered to conduct a secret ballot of the strikers, but this wa.s declined, the men sticking out for a W r ages Board hearing. It is stated on their behalf that nothing was likely in the'' shape of a settlement till the board reassembled on Tuesday. The men say thev are tired of promises. Mr Todd, the manager of the Svdney Ferries, stated that the men's claims submitted to-day were much in excess of those now being considered by the Wages Board. The companies' offer "was the extreme limit, but itwas rejected by the strikers. Mr Carmichael also undertook to arrange a continuous sitting of the Wages Board, so as to obtain an early award. The men have submitted counter-proposals for a 48-hours' week and certain rises in wages, irrespective of the decision of the Wages Board. Mr Carmichael is considering these. _ The matter is of extreme urgencv in view of the. heavy Easter traffic' and the Minister of Labor is doing his utmost to reach a settlement.

A SELFISH STRIKE.

. SYDNEY, March 21. There is a strong feeling of resentment against the action of the men in suddenly springing the strike at the holiday season.

The city is crowded with visitors, and many of those who crossed earlv in the steamers before the strike started had difficulty in reaching their homes after the day s outing. Negotiations are proceeding, and another conference has been arranged for to-morrow. '15,000 DISAPPOINTED HOLID\YUAKERS. MANLY WORKERS COME OUT TO-DAY. The ferry strike, materially affected the attendance at the races. Tt is estimated that the services that were hung up yesterday would carry 45.000 people on a "public holiday. North Sydney was the most seriously inconvenienced, "and the pinch was badly felt this morning, hundreds of workerf; being blocked in reaching their employment by the usual routes. The reason why the Manlv men did not join yesterday is that they are members of a different union, and we're not Informed of the strike until large number? had been carried to that seaside resort. They were, however, prepared to come out at noon', but were influenced bv the appeal of the company's officials, and agreed to see the holiday-makers back home. According to their present intentions, they will join" the strike to-day. when the whole of the ferry services will lve stopped. A special meeting of the Cabinet has been called for this forenoon to consider the. situation. Mr M'Gowcn declined to make a statement of the Government's intentions till the meeting is over. The manager of the Sydney ferries states that the men's claims aggregate an extra cost of £20.000 to his company aloneSome of the distant river suburbs organised scratch services, but these only, partially met the inconvenience. Besides the holidaytnakers, many policemen and tramwaymen and others who are compelled to, work on holidays were stuck up. and were hours behind their time in getting to their posts. The harbor presents the unusual spectacle of flotillas of small eTaft of all orders plying across the usual ferry routes. The charge started at a half-crown and upwards, but usually fell to sixpence. Some, who weTe early informed of the trouble, secured as many boats and launches as possible before the proprietors were aware of the tie-up, and made a good scoop by plying for hire. There have been a few accidents, but nothing serious, owing to the. scramble among the miscellaneous fleet. There was a tremendous rush throughout tho day to the telephone by marooned picnickers. Many residents on the North Shore made a roundabout journey to the city via Horn shy. As far as possible the. Tramway department is relieving the pressure by improved services m those suburbs that can be reached by the tram. The Firemen and Deck Hands' Union are primarily responsible for the strike, hut thev have the support of the masters and engineers. The men arc determined i to insist on their demand*.