AUSTRALIAN WATERSIDERS

Evening Star, Issue 19724, 26 November 1927, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN WATERSIDERS

THE OVERTIME STRIKE OWNERS' LETTER TO FEDERATION AWARDS MUST BE OBSERVED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, November 25. Tho latest phase of the. waterside workers' strike is that the overseas shipping representatives and the Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association, in a joint letter to tho General Waterside Workers' Federation, officially notify the federation that from 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning next work will be offered co members of the federation only on condition that all the conditions of the awards and agreements are observed. The letter sets out how the shipping industry is hampered and damaged by members of the federation constantly failing to observe arbitration and other awards and agreements. It says that the position has become intolerable. The shipping industry can no longer be carried on under such impossible conditions, and therefore from Wednesday next, as a condition of employment, all practices that conflict with awards and agreements must cease. The letter specially points out that members of tho federation refused to work overtime in spite of the fact that the court laid down that such work was essential to industry, and provision was made for it in the award. . REGARDED AS DECLARATION OF WAR. MELBOURNE, November 23. (Received November 20, at 1.30 a.m.) The Watersiders' Federation regards tho shipowners' letter as a declaration of war, and states that it will refuse to accede to it until cither tho court or the shipowners agreo to consider the claims of the federation. The Management Committee of the federation is discussing tho further policy *to be adopted in view of the owners' decision. A section of tho committee favors intensification of tho dispute by declaring vessels " black." BOMBSHELL TO STRIKERS. SYDNEY, November 21. (Received November 26, at 9.55 a.m.) Tho shipowners' ultimatum had ■ a bombshell effect among tho strikers. Opinion is divided among tho men as to whether they will continue the strike, in view of the employers' firm attitude, but it is stat d in well-informed circles that if the Committee of Management of the watersiders decides to continue, a general upheaval in the maritime industry is likely. STEAMERS DELAYED. SY'DNEY. November 25. (Received November 26, at 1.30 a.m.) The overtime strike is causing delay in the departure of a number of steamers. Others are leavings short loaded. Tho Ulimaroa had to leave a part of her cargo behind.