MELBOURNE INDUSTRIES

Evening Star, Issue 25926, 18 October 1946, Page 6

MELBOURNE INDUSTRIES

LABOUR TROUBLES INCREASING DICTATORSHIP OF IRONWORKERS' UNION (Rec. 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Oct. 17. Serious industrial trouble is threatening Melbourne, the first industry likely to be affected being foundries, where members of the Ironworkers’ and Moulders.’ Unions have for a long time been restive. The unions adopted a policy. ordering selected members to give a week’s notice of resignation in various establishments, thus disorganising individual foundries without actually ordering a strike. The reason given for such resignations is that the members concerned are seeking higher paid positions elsewhere. The position has now reached a stage where the employers have resolved to refuse the re-employment of _ all resignees and to close all foundries next week. The employers say that no wage increase can be granted on their own initiative while the wage pegging regulations continue.-, They say that while they are not opposed to granting, certain concessions, such dlaims must be made within the law through the Arbitration Court, and with guarantees that increased productiou will result. The unions reject this view and claim an immediate increase. A general meeting of the Ironworkers’ and Moulders’ Unions is being held on Sunday, at which union officiate will recommend an immediate work stoppage. The stoppage of the foundries will quickly bring other industries dependent on their output to a standstill. Railway and tramwaymen are still restive. The complete ban imposed by the Railways Union on overtime has resulted in an already drastic curtailment of services, and is expected to cause a cessation of all Sunday suburban and country services. Metropolitan gas supplies are threatened by the overtime ban imposed by the Gas Employees’ Union.