GENERAL STRIKE

Grey River Argus, 4 July 1944, Page 4

GENERAL STRIKE

By Fire Brigades .IN NEW SOUTH WALES. (Rec. 11.50) ■ SYDNEY, July 3. All labour was, withdrawn from Sydney's sixty-seven metropolitan fire stations to-day, with the exception of a central hying squad to attend fires in public buildings, such as hospitals and schools. Later, a State-wide strike of _ firemen was called.

This was the sequel to non compliance with the men’s demand that an overcoat be issued to each of the 669 firemen in the State by seven o’clock this morning. The re-instatement was also demanded of sixteen men who had been suspended for .refusing to do firewatching duties without an issue of individual overcoats. .At a meeting held on Friday, the firemen decided > that they would refuse to do work exposing them to the weather unless they were supplied with individual overcoats. They did not then refuse to fight fires. The present arrangement is that firemen who are called upon to do duties exposing them to the weather shall use the tew overcoats which are supplied to the stations for this purpose. No individual overcoats are issued. The firemen claim that they are the only uniformed body of men in New South Wales not issued with overcoats. They have been demanding them unsuccessfully for fifteen years. STRIKE ENDS. MEN WIN THEIR CASE. (Rec. 11.30) ”SYDNEY, July 3. A State-wide strike of firemen ended late to-day after a compulsory conference between the parties before Mr. Justice Taylor. His Honor ordered the Board of Fire Commissioners to supply each member of the service with an overcoat within a reasonable time. With only officers manning /the stations the ifecord number ce 36 calls was received during the day. Of these 34 were false alarms. Officers blamed practical jokers.