SENSATION IN TRADE UNION CIRCLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 2 December 1927, Page 5

SENSATION IN TRADE UNION CIRCLES

OWNERS’ DRASTIC ACTION (Received 2nd Dec., 11.50 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day The drastic action taken by the shipping owners caused a sensation in trade union circles. Officials were unable to deal fully with the changed position and it is admitted that such a serious industrial deadlock was not expected when the trouble first arose. Tliere was again wholesale condemnation, of the tactics of the watersiders in having excluded all other union leaders from its consultations when the plan of campaign was being considered. Leading officials were at a loss to understand the stand taken by the watersiders and expressed the view that there was art obligation on the union concerned immediately to consult representatives of other unions which have become involved before direct action was introduced.

Ideas that the shipowners should meet the watersiders in conference were again made by the secretary of the federation and the secretary of the Port Phillip stevedores.

A number of ships are already tied up and the crews paid off. Many more are expected to be affected to-day.

The cost to the overseas owners is very heavy, as the crews have been signed on for the round trip and their wages will have to be paid until the ships return to their home ports. It is estimated that when ships are tied up to-day fully 10,000 workers, consisting of watersiders, carters, drivers, seamen, clerks, customs, shipping agents, coal lumpers, and other employees will bo idl&d. It is expected that by the end >of the week over 1000 ships’ stewards will also be idled.

Members of the Carters’ and :Privers' Union are also affected. Several large carrying firms have already given a week’s notice of dismissal.

It- is anticipated that more than 20,000 members of the Carters’ and Drivers’ Union throughout Australia will be affected within a few days. In view of the strike the wool sales at Melbourne and Geelong were postponed until such time as buyers have a reasonable opportunity of shipping wool purchased.