STRIKE FORBIDDEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27357, 5 April 1950, Page 7

STRIKE FORBIDDEN

Victorian Railways Union DIRECTION FROM FEDERAL EXECUTIVE Rec. 8.20 p.m. MELBOURNE, Apl. 4. The Federal Executive of the Australian Railways Union has directed the Victorian executive not to call a rail strike in Victoria and not to count a ballot by suburban guards on the strike question. It also directed that the keys of the guards’ ballot boxes should be lodged with the Commonwealth Bank. This has been obeyed. In effect, the direction means that the Federal Executive, under the Communist president, Mr J. J. Brown, has issued the order to the Victorian secretary (the same Mr J. J. Brown), who is the, dominating force of the Victorian executive. The driection was issued by the Federal secretary, Mr J. E. Chappie, at Mr Brown’s suggestion. The only other Federal Council member consulted was the senior Federal vice-president, Mr J. Ferguson, who is the New South Wales president of the Labour Party. It is believed that the action has been taken because of the threat to the union of deregistration. Tramways Strike

The first move by the Melbourne Tramways Board to break the 41-day-old strike occurred last night, when the board decided to direct its 4800 employees to return to work on April 12.

The board stated that anyone disobeying this order would be liable to instant dismissal under the terms of the award.

If sufficient men reported for work the bus services would start on April 12, and the trams a day later. The chairman of the board. Mr R. J. Risson, said the order had been issued because the board was convinced that a large body of men and women was anxious to return to work.

Meanwhile, the Premier. Mr T. T. Hollway, announced that a free emergency bus service would be provided in the city for shoppers, elderly people and mothers.