PARIS STRIKERS will Return to Work

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 149, 9 June 1936, Page 7

PARIS STRIKERS will Return to Work

NOT SO ELSEWHERE Extension to the Provinces Causes Concern MINERS JOIN IN By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright (Received 9, 11.30 a.m.) PARES, June 8. A conference of employers and workers’ representatives, with the Premier, M. Blum, presiding, agreed shortly after midnight upon a settlement of the strike. The employers are conceding increases in wages ranging from seven to 15 per cent, and are agreeing to recognise trade unions and workshops committees. The strikers undertook to evacuate factories. The Minister of the Interior, M. Salengro, states that this agreement does not mean that work will be resumed this morning, but it is hoped that within 48 hours at most the strike will have ceased. It is understood that the acceptance was under "tho decisive intervention of -the Government,” and was given with every reservation us to tho economic consequences. The situation in the building and coalmining industries, however, is serious. The leaders threaten a general strike. Peasants are also troublesome and demand protection for farm labourers as well as factory hands. The destruction of financial and other influences is oppressing primary producers. Peasants are impressed with the success of occupation of factories, and claim that they could stop supplies of agricultural produce and paralyse the nation. The Government will consider the peasants’ demands. A general strike of coal-miners in tho North of France has begun, but tho employers and workers will confer tomorrow. Tho City presents the appearance of an English Sunday There aro no taxicabs in the streets, and big departmental stores aro still occupied. It may bo several days before there ie complete general resumption. Individual employers in many industries are holding out against a national agreement, which is estimated benefits 8,000,000 workers. The employers issued a statement that, in view of a new social order being established, the consequences of which cannot be foreseen, the Government must accept all responsibility. Tho famous Bluo train again did not run from the south of Franco. The Golden Arrow express from Paris to England did not run, and travellers on t f ordinary express had a foodless journey, as there was no restaurant car. Tho police issued summonses to 215 shopkeepers in Paris for raising prices despite warnings during the emergency. M. Blum retired the police chief, Guichard, whom the Left supporters accused of being reactionary. Now Ministers are busy drafting bills on the lines of M. Blum’s policy. Employers and workers of departmental stores had a live-hours’ conference and reached an agreement. Workers may join trade unions, and there will be no reprisals for striking. Tho conference adjourned to discuss wages to-morrow. EXTENSION TO PROVINCES. Tho most serious feature of the day was tho further extension of tho strike to the provinces A strike of coalminers in tho Nord and Pas de Cclais districts became effective, and 150,000 surface workers joined tho minors. Big stores at Bordeaux did not open this morning, tho managers deciding to lock tho workers out rather than allow threatened occupation. Fresh factory strikes at St. Quentin have increased the number of idle there to 2009. Tho general strike is complete in the Arras mining basin Safety squads aro replacing strikers in tho pits. Five hundred women shirtmakers struck at Arras, and breweries at Arras and Roeux are idle. Five hundred dustmen struck at Lo Havre, leaving the streets uncleaned. A Magna Carta wor workers is tho French Press description of the strike settlement, which is largely attributed to M. Blum’s act of firmness. It is emphasised that it is the first time in the history of tho Republic that tho Government has brought together employers and workers. The agreement does not bind industry generally, since not all of those involved in the strike are members of tho French Employers’ Confederation or (ho Confederation of Trade Unions; but it is expected that outsiders will be compelled to follow the lead. Work has resumed at most factories and it is estimated that 50 per eent of tho strikers will be back before nightfall. The Government to-day will table in the Chamber Bills for a 40-hour week, paid holidays and collective contracts.