THAMES TUGS

Evening Star, Issue 25750, 25 March 1946, Page 6

THAMES TUGS

CREWS ON STRIKE SHORTER WEEK WANTED (Reo. 11.30 a.m.) v LONDON, March 24. Thames tugboatmen handling oceangoing shipping into the port of London went on strike this morning. The tugboatmen claim shorter hours. The strike means a partial hold-up of food supplies to London from overseas. It iuvolves 25 tugs and 200 men in London 3 four main tug companies. The Press Association says it is intended to be a 24-hour token strike, but may last °A company official said shipping so far had not been greatly affected because the weather was fine and the Thames was comparatively clear, so a number of ships navigated the river without assistance, but if the strike continues London's food supplies would be considerably'affected. He said the strike was unofficial. The men met after March 23 and " sprang this thing upon us." They wanted a 48-hour week and increased wages which the companies were not in a position to give them. The companies were ready to negotiate with the unions but not with the men. The men's repesentative said the tugboat hold-up was not a strike but a lock-out, and added that the men at present were working 72 hours, plus overtime, which often meant 100 hours a week. They gave notice they would continue to work 72 hours from to-day but no overtime. " When we came ashore last night we were told to tie up the tugs," he said.