MARITIME STRIKE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12538, 27 April 1935, Page 5

MARITIME STRIKE

CRITICAL POSITION AT SEATTLE MEDIATION EFFORTS FAIL (U.P.A. by EJco Tel. Copyright) SEATTLE. April 25. (Received April 26, 11 p.m.) Mr Harry 'Lund berg. u tall Norwegian from Seattle, who briieve.s m keeping to the middle cf the road, was elected president of the newlyformed, Maritime Federat.on c's the Pacific, the most- powerful - union Labor group -on this.coast-, with 35.000 membersMr Harry Bridges, a militant longshore leader from San Francisco in approving i.imdberg's election, said that this was a very strong federation which cculd accomplish more for maritime abour than anything achieved before. Mr Lundberg, interviewed, said: “I am a sailor and stand absolutely behind the resolution of the convention which states that- we will support the oil tanker strikers. We shall stand behind them to the limit. The convention resolution pledged support to the tankers, oven to the extent of calling a general strike vote if ncessary. The federation unites eight maritime unions, including in its' membership longshoremen, sailors, firemen. oilers, watertenders, cooks, stewards, radio men, .ferryboa.tmen. masters, mates, and pilots. SAN FRANCISCO, April 25. Mediation efforts by the Government Board in the eoastwiso tanke* strike, collapsed on the heels of support for the walk-out from the maritime Federation at Seattle. Marine, circles admitted that the situation way delicate. The strike began with a demand by the seamen for the preferential hiring of union members. This request was later dropped for a 44-hour week, instead of the' present fiftysix hours, and the re-employment of the union strikers became a critical issue. The operators relfused to comment on the breakdown cf the negotiations, but a recent- ultimatum is recalled in which ihey set Friday night as the “deadline” for 12,000 striking seamen, masters, mates, pilots, engine room workers and radio operators to- end the dispute. Members of the joint tankers.’ strike committee today .blamed the. arrogant, attitude of the Standard Oil Company in refusing to give an inch in the deadlock.