SIT-DOWN STRIKES

Evening Star, Issue 25701, 26 January 1946, Page 8

SIT-DOWN STRIKES

AIR FORGE PERSONNEL ALLEGED SLOWNESS OF RELEASES LONDON, January 24. Protesting against delays in the demobilisation ot members of the 11.A.F., two stations—Almaza (Cairo) and Lydda (Palestine) —went on strike today, following the earlier strikes at stations in India and Ceylon. Headquarters Mediterranean and Middle Fast, R.A.F., ito-night issued the following statement: —"Apparently owing to disappointment at the latest age and release groups announcement, and the alleged slowness of release; airmen at two R.A.F. stations in the Mediterranean and' Middle East Command stopped work to-day. The matter is under investigation, and has been referred to London." ■ Renter's correspondent in Cairo says that several* hundred members of the ground staff at Almaza struck at 8 o'clock this morning. They described the strike as a sit-down one. adding that, in addition to the grievance indicated in the official statement, they were complaining about repressive disciplinary measrfres recently imposed on the station, long working hours, inadequate welfare, and poor food.

GOVERNMENT DISAPPROVAL

NOT TO BE TOLERATED (Reo. 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 25. The so-called R.A.F. strikes had the Government's strongest disapproval and would not be tolerated, said a statement issued by the Air Ministry. The strikes were described as_ serious breaches of discipline which had harmed the R.A.F.'s good name

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

AHEAD OF ARMY AND NAVY ORec. 8 a.m.) LONDON. January 25. An official statement pointed out many of the men were obviously ignorant of the simple facts about demobilisation, which had been clearly set out in a series of signals to all R.A.F. stations. The demobilisation scheme was an ordered process in which the needs of civilian industry, service commitments, and many other factors, such as transportation, had all to be carefully balanced. The R.A.F. was at the moment well abreast of the Army and Navy in its rate of demobilisation, and this situation would be maintained. The statement emphasised that there was in all the services a proper recognised method for calling attention to grievances.

GALLED OFF AT MAURIPUR

(Rec. 8 a.m.) KARACHI, Jan. 25. . The strike of 2,000 R.A.F. men at Mauri pur over repatriation and demobilisation grievances has been called off.