LABOUR UNREST

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8367, 1 March 1913, Page 5

LABOUR UNREST

GAS EMPLOYEES A SERIOUS STRIKE IN SYDNEY. By Ttelegraph—Press Association —Oopyricbt (Received February 28, 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 28. The employees of the North Sydney Gas Company have struck, demanding on© shilling per day increase of wages. The strike is the outcome of the refusal of the Arbitration Court to sit as a board to deal with the application of the employees for Is per day increase on the 1911 settlement under which any increase by award enables the companies under the Gas Bill to pass it on to the consumers, but where obtained otherwise they are unable to pass it on. . ■ Mr Justice ECeydon, in refusing the application, expressed doubts as to whether the Arbitration Court had jurisdiction to act as a Wages Board. STRIKE “AGAINST UNION DISCIPLINE.” (Received February 28, 8.48 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 28. The gas strike surprised both the company and the Gas Employees Union. , A meeting of the departing and the new shifts last night decided to stop, and immediately took action. The oilice staff and experts kept th& supply up to-day, but unless there is a settlement North Sydney will be without gas to-morrow night. A Labour Council deputation interviewed the company’s manager and admitted that the strike was precipitate and against union discipline. They urged that steps be taken to obtain a wages award so that the men obtain an advance and that it be passed on to the consumer. The manager declared that there was no opposition to an increase if it could be passed on.* The men’s demand represented a total of £6OOO and the reduction in the price of gas under the neW Act another £6OOO, and this the company was unable to stand. Any way, the men must return to work before anything could be done. Subsequently a conference took place between the company’s and the men’s representatives. The company insisted that resumption of work was imperative before negotiations. CITY GAS SUPPLY REDUCED, ONE THOUSAND HANDS OUT. (Received February 28, 11-15 p.m-) SYDNEY, February 28. The, Australian Gaslight Company s employees at Mortlak© works, which serve large suburban areas, to the number of six hundred, have joined the strike. ■ , ... The employees of the city works are still in. Further developments are probable. In view of eventualities the , city ga.<a supply has been reduced to-night. The suddenness of the move left the companies unprepared, and they will be unable to keep up the supply beyond a day or two. The outlook is serious.

Already about one thousand bands are out. LAMPS AND CANDLES IN GREAT DEMAND. (Received March 1, 0.45 a.m.} SYDNEY, February 28. The city gasmen have gone out, adding 270 to the strikers. Lamps and candles are in great demand. , Manly is the only other company so far unaffected, and it is expected that the Manly men will join. MIDLAND RAILWAY TROUBLE. , LONDON, February 27. The union officials announce that the railway men are determined to strike collectively unless Richardson (the guard on the Midland Railway who was dismissed for disobedience) is reinstated.