Suggestions For Ending Steel Strike

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1945, Page 5

Suggestions For Ending Steel Strike

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day.

The State Industrial Commission has made suggestions privately to the Broken Hill Proprietary and Ironworkers’ Union to end the steelworks strike.

The union representatives are stated to have agreed to the proposed terms. The Broken Hill Proprietai'y will give its reply when the commission reassembles today.

Settlement of the strike would open the way for tens of thousands of metal trade workers who have lost their jobs, because of the shortage of steel, to return to work.

The steel strike began at the Australian Iron and Steel works at Port Kembla on September 23. About 6000 steelworkers at Port Kembla and 7000 at Newcastle are on strike.

The commisison yesterday suggested that Mr D. Parker, Ironworkers’ Association shop delegate, whose dismissal from the Australian Iron and Steel works caused the strike, should be reinstated in his old job. QUESTIONS' OF SENIORITY Striking steelworkers have declared that they will not return to work until Mr Parker j s reinstated. The commission also said that if Mr Parker is reinstated and the strikers re, turned to work, it would determine early next year questions of seniority involved in Mr Parker’s dismissal, and other seniority issues between the union and the Broken Hill Proprietary. Mr Parker was dismissed because he refused to cease work as a valveman and woric as a lidman. He appealed against the dismissal to Mr Justice Cantor, of the Industrial Commission, but tne Judge dismissed his appeal.

Yesterday, m cmn'ormity with the Australasian Council of Trade Unions’ terms for settling the steel strike, Mr Parker appealed against Mr Justice Cantor's decision to the Full Bench of the Industrial Commission. • Ironworkers’ Association officials said last night that they would accept these terms and they felt a mass meeting of the striking steelworkers also would accept them.