GENERAL STOPPAGE

Evening Star, Issue 25995, 9 January 1947, Page 5

GENERAL STOPPAGE

INDUSTRIES IN VICTORIA THREATENED BY GAS STRIKE TOTAL BLACK-OUT FROM TO MORROW (Rec. noon.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 9. A general stoppage of workers in a number of major industries in Victoria may result from to-day’s decision of the gas workers to continue their strike in support of their claim for double pay for Sunday work. The gas strike, which v is now in its fifth week, already has resulted in widespread industrial dislocation and domestic inconvenience. During this period a rationed supply has been available owing to the efforts of volunteer staff men from the gasworks, but this supply will cease completely by midnight on Friday, when the coal at present available in the gasworks will be exhausted. The transport unions have refused to unload for the gasworks any further supplies from the 12,000 tons, already in (Melbourne. To-day’s developments made it clear that the gas workers are being used as a spearhead to enforce the claims of a number of unions.for double’ pay for Sunday work, and it is likely that within a few days some of these unions will take direct action to support the gas workers. The focal point of determination when these unions will take action will be January 13, when the Railways Union application for double time on Sundays will be heard in the Arbitration Court. Other workers involved in similar claims include plumbers, carpenters, electricians, carters, drivers. seamen, watersiders, road transporters, raihvaymen, tramwaymen, and ironworkers. When the total gas blackout occurs on Friday night thousands of other workers in industries which depend on gas will be automatically rendered idle.