ACTION THREATENED

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1946, Page 7

ACTION THREATENED

AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY WORKERS DEMAND FOR IMPROVEMENTS (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 4. The New South Wales Cabinet has refused the demand of the tram and bus employees for increased pay for week-end work. The men are claiming double rates for Sunday work and time and a-half for Saturday work.

The Minister of Transport, Mr O’Sullivan, told the union that the Government adhered to the policy of industrial arbitration and the men’s demands, therefore, were a matter for the proper industrial tribunal.

The Interstate Council of Australian Railways Union decided that if its demands for improved conditions were not met by Christmas branches of the union in all States should prepare for immediate action on a national scale as early as possible in the New Year.

The south coast coal mines have resumed work pending a conference with the Premier, Mr W. J.' McKell, next week.

In Melbourne, more than 500 factories are closed to-day and. more than 80,000 workers will lose a day’s employment because the enginedrivers and firemen stopped work at 11 p.m. yesterday for 24 hours. Most of the factories affected depend on steam for the operation of machinery. Hospitals, power stations, sewerage works, meat exporters, ice manufacturers, and munition works are exempt from the stoppage.

UNION LEADERS DEMAND SHOWDOWN

SYDNEY, Dec. 3

“Trade union leaders to-morrow will place the onus on the Prime Minister (Mr. Chifley) of lifting the wagepegging regulations or accepting responsibility for industrial upheaval,” says the Sydney Sun. “The leaders said to-day that their members demanded a showdown with Mr. Chifley. If the Prime Minister’s answer was unfavourable a crisis was inevitable. “The transport unions will tell Mr. Chifley that a transport strike _is looming unless the wage-pegging regulations are modified to give railway, bus and tram men weekly penalty rates similar to those gained in Melbourne when time and half is paid for Saturday work and double time for Sundays. It is understood that the State Government following Cabinet consideration of transport men’s demands will not intervene, but will leave it to the Federation Government.

“The unions do not expect the State Government to break the law. They take the view that it is for the Federal Government to amend the wagepegging regulations which expire in any case at the end of this month. “The State secretary of the Australian Railways Union said to-day that he regarded the position as being extremely grave.”