Sydney Workers Idled By Lack of Coke

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1948, Page 8

Sydney Workers Idled By Lack of Coke

SYDNEY, Oct. 28

Many Sydney foundries have given their employees notice of dismissal because v£ the lack of coke due to the south coast coal strike. The secretary of the Metal Trades Employers’ Association, Mr D. G. Fowler, said that the firms which were closing their foundries had received no industrial coke for three weeks. Of the 150 foundries in the Sydney area employing 4000 men, most of them would have to close down by the end of next week. The huge Port Kembla works of Australian Iron and Steel Ltd., have ceased production and 1000 men have been stood down.

Lysaght’s Port Kembla works and the plant of the Commonwealth Rolling Mills are about to follow suit.