Watersiders’ Strike

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 280, 6 November 1924, Page 5

Watersiders’ Strike

Spreads to Melbourne TEN THOUSAND WORKERS LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED. [By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received 6, 10.25 a.m.) Melbourne, Nov. 6. The overtime strike has commenced in Aielbourne. Following a conference between the Watersiders’ Federation and the Seamen’s Union, a request wag mad© that th© seamen refus© to give steam to wharf labourers between five p.m. and eight a.m. Definite action was taken last night when the doqfley men driving th© winches on the collier Warspray refused to giv© steam to the wharf labourers engaged loading the vessel; This action will bring the Aielbourne wharf labourers into line w’ith th© overtime strikers at other ports. Air. Justice Powers in the Arbitration Court, w;as asked to vary the award of the Seamen’s Union #ith a view to making branches as well as the governing body responsible for strikes and job control among seameh. Argument wa a adjourned. COLLIERS THROW IDLE. (Received 6. 10.25 a.m.) t . Sydney, Nov. 6. The continuation of the strike beyond th© week-end will probably lead to’ further idleness in interstate shipping. It is considered probable that two of the Huddart Parker colliers will be thrown idl© owing to the expected closing down of the Hebburn pits at the end of this week- Should th© strike continue into next week, it is estimated that 10,000 men in various callings will b© affected. BRISBANE CALLS COMPULSORY’ CONFERENCE. (Received 6, 10.25 a.m.) Brisbane, Nov. 6. The State Arbitration Court has called a compulsory conference of the parties concerned in the overtime shipping strike for Friday next. THE POSITION LAST NIGHT. DEREGISTRATION OF UNIONS ROOTED. ... Sydney, Nov. 5. So far th© shipping companies have suffered considerable inconvenience, but not much actual financial loss through th© overtime strike. Work for the wharfies was substantially cut down bv their own actions and the shipping labour bureau men, against whom the fight is directed, are kept busier than ever. The marine superintendent of the Commonwealth Line stated that the lin© had a scheme to meet the situation. but would, not yet make it public. It is believed, however, the line will make application to th© Federal Arbitration Court for th© deregistration of the Waterside Workers’ Federation. Seamen’s Union, and Alarine Stewards’ Union. A meeting of the Marine Stewards’ Uni’dn decided not to work th© Aforeton Bay until all the dismissed men are reinstated? Th© Ferndale is still short of nine and nine seamen and will be moved on Thursday to the dock where it is expected a crew will be signed on. Perishable cargo will be despatched b' another steamer. The stewards of the Ferndale gave 24 hours’ notice of intention to leave th© ship but as the vessel will not carry passengers she can sail without stewards. A mass meeting of watersiders decided not to work Commonwealth steamers until the dispute with the Aforeton Bay* stewards and the Ferndale’s seamen is settled.

By the very narrow majority of one vote, the Sea Transport Group, at its turbulent meeting at Sydney on October 28. defeated a motion to defer immediate action against th© Overseas Shipping Bureau until th© advent of a Labour Government. The fight is said to have been a battle royal, in which the mover of the motion slated th© opposition faction for “jumping in on the cheering side,” instead of having “sand” enough to hold out until the favourable opportunity presented itself. The faction which strenuously opposed action being taken on November 3 feared that in New South Wales it would lie mor© than likely to result in defeat liecause of the Nationalist Government, th© Bureau, and the great number of unemployed. Commenting editorially the “Sydney Sun” stated:— “There is trouble on th© wharves now. and behind that trouble is the fostering hand of the Communist fomenter s of rebellion. It is to be hoped that th© A.L-P. will not allow their x£°°d resolutions to falter, and tnemsetves to b© used by the Reds, in any attempt to aid a strike, or to stand at the head of it to get shot at while the real offenders lurk out of th© light. “Dissociation, real dissociation from th©- law’-breakers and th© revolutionaries and th© anti-social forces which Use Labour as a shield for their lawlessness, will do Labour far more good than harm in spite of the abuse which -it mar receive from the disappointed parasites who have given it such a bad name.”