AUSSIE INDUSTRIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 December 1926, Page 5

AUSSIE INDUSTRIES

CRANE DRIVERS’ STRIKE. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) SYDNEY, November 30. As a result of the crane drivers’ strike at Newcastle, four collieries have closed down, and it is expected that more than half of the mines on the Newcastle and Maitland fields will close to-morrow. So far, two thousand men have been idled. If the dispute is not speedily settled, the total will reach six thousand. Meetings of the Seamen's Union at Sydney and Melbourne to-day decided not to take any definite action in the no-overtime strike, pending a conference with the Watersiders’ Federation. SYDNEY’, December 1. As the result of he intervention of the Minister of Labour and Industry (Mr Baddeley), negotiations for a settlement of the crane drivers’ strike were re-opened. Mr Baddeley met representatives of the crane edrivers, then representatives of the Railway Commissioners, and afterwards attended a conference of both parties. A proposal was submitted to the Minister by the Commissioners, and after discussion it was decided by the crane drivers’ representatives to submit the proposal to. a mass meeting of strikers at Newcastle to-day. Should the strike continue a week, fifteen thousand miners will be forced out of employment, together with seffmen employed on the colliers. Many union officials express the opinion that the strike will be short. They contend that the strike would lead to such dislocation of shipping and mining, as to break under its own weight. Among the vessels hed up at Newcastle are the Rona, Ultimata and Whangape. - *> YALLOURN DEVELOPMENTS. MELBOURNE, Dec. 1. .The engine drivers and firemen em-‘ ployed at the main power house decided to adjourn consideration of the proposal that they join the Yallourn strikers. The position is still very serious, but while the engine drivers refuse o join the strike, it is possible for normal supplies to be maintained for about three weeks. MELBOURNE DISMISSALS. MELBOURNE, December 1. As the result of the Newcastle crane drivers’ strike, five hundred men employed by the Melbourne Harbour Trust dredges .and tugs have been given a week’s notice, and unless the trouble is overcome in the meantime, will cease work.