INDUSTRIAL UNREST

Otago Witness, Issue 2949, 21 September 1910, Page 19

INDUSTRIAL UNREST

BOILERMAKERS' DISPUTE. LONDON, September 12. In connection With the working of the Edinburgh agreement, the men desire that the agreement shall be altered. The request for a conference with the employers is due to the representatives of 18 allied trades becoming convinced that the boilermakeTS had a substantial grievance. September 15. The hoiUrmakeTs' officials at Tyneside reckon on a 6ix weeks' struggle. They argue that if their representative meeting arranges for the proposed assurances a ballot will be necessary before negotiating with the employer*. September 14. Owing to the lock-out the manager of the graving dock on the Tyne is declining repair work, and this has gone to Rotterdam and Antwerp. The joint trades committees request a conference, with the employers. They urge that the lock-out is causing much bitterness among the men. Negotiations are still proceeding toward a conference. September 15. The Shipbuilding Employers' Federation is awaiting the boilermakers' suggestions. Hence it intimates that a conference with a joint trades' committee is inadvisable at present, but it will meet the committee if the latter deems is likely to prove useful. September 17. The Shipbuilders' Federation will hold a joint nmeting with the boilermakers' representative on Wednesday, and thereafter will join the Trades Committee. September 18. Lockout pay is still withheld from the boilermakers, and the general impression is that lack of money will hasten a settlement. CARD-ROOM uISPUTE. LONDON, September 12. The card-room dispute arose over Howe, a grinder, refusing to pick a few cotton seeds that were adhering to ihe machinery. The union instructed him to disobey because it was not a grinder's work. September 15. The Card-room Federation is postponing the consideration of the employers' ultimatum. The Cotton-spinners' Federation, will meet on Monday. Many employers favour a stoppage in view of the dearness of material and the unremunerative prices for yarn. MOULDERS' WAGES INCREASED. LONDON, September 13. The Sheffield moulders have asked for an advance of 2s per week, to £2 2s. The mastbTs have conceded an increase of Is per week, and will consider the question of a further advance in May. GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION EXPECTED. LONDON, September 13. There is a growing impression at the Sheffield Congress that Mr Buxton. (President of the Board of Trade) will be asked to assist in the settlement of the disputes.

ADVICE TO THE WORKERS

LONDON, September 13.

Mr Haslarn, Labour member for Chesterfield, and president of the Trades Union 'Jon<rrea» at Sheffield, in his opening address, emphasised the need for loyalty and discipline on the part of all concerned in the maintenance of the vital principle underlying the trade union movement—namely, collective bargaining. Doubtless decays had occurred in the settlement oi some minor difficulties, but the breaking of agreements by individual or. sectional action was unjustifiable. They ought to expedite the settlement oi disputes by means of proper rules and regulations. Referring to the Osborne judgment hindering the work of trades unions, he said the latter had always believed that one of their objects was to elect trade unionists to the House of Commons, and funds were accordingly applied to that purpose.. Nothing short of the reinstatement of the trade unions* position up to the time of the Osborne decision co-aid be accepted.

A COMMENDABLE SPIRIT.

LONDON, September 13.

The executive of the Steam Engine-m-ikers' Society, in a report to the members, referring to the question of recognising authority, remarked that if such disintegrating elements entered their ranks they would deal with them as with the plague. A trade union without an executive authority or discipline must tumble to the ground.

MINERS' DISPUTE. LONDON, September 18. Despite the Miners' Federation Executive promising strike pay if 12,000 Cambrian companies' miners gave a month's, notice, the Cardiff Conference decided to take a ballot on the question of a general strike on the whole coalfield. Twelve thousand Cambrian miners have decided to strike to-morrow, regardless of the conference's decision. September 19.

At a conference at Cardiff the miners' executive pointed out the enormous financial responsibility if the masters sued for the recovery of £12,000 for a breach of contract by, stopping work without giving notice, wherein the Cambrian colliers would be without a defence.

Eleven hundred and seventy-one lodges have supported the executive's proposal to make a levy of Is per member lor the support of the Cambrian men striking a month hence. Fourteen hundred and eighty-three lodges favoured a ballot for a general strike.

The masters, who have long feared that a strike was inevitable are expected to reply to Cambrian colliers by locking out 200,000 miners.

SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE. SYDNEY, September 13.

Mr Wade is negotiating with a view to ending the slaughtermen's strike. He has conferred with both sides.

September 19.

The Trades and Labour Council is appealing for financial assistance for the families of the slaughtermen. It states that 550 men have been out of work for seven weeks. The union funds cannot stand the strain much longer. ADELAIDE, September 14.

The slaughtermen have decided to resume to-morro<v. They will be paid 27s 6d per 100 for sheep and lambs until the Conciliation Board gives its award, which will take effect as from August 23. MELBOURNE. September 15.

The Butchers' Employees' Federation has rejected the mea'; exporters' offer of 26s 6d per 100 for killing sheep and 25s for lambs, and demands 27s 6d a hundred all round.

PROSPECT OF A CONFERENCE, LONDON, September 13.

It is hoped at Newcastle that a conference will soon be arranged between the trade unions and Employers' Federation in order to adjust amicably all differences in connection with the working of a national agreement. The men's suggestions include the proposal that employers 6hall not engage unionists who have been expelled for disobedience. It ; is also hoped to settle all points in dispute connected with the new eystem ef J «hip construction.

j PLEA FOR ARBITRATION. ! LONDON, September 15.

The Daily News says: "We have arrived at a stage in national agreements when employers and employed and trade unions are still suspicions of compulsory; arbitration; but the pressure of circumstances will tend to override those suspicions. "

DEMAND FOR STRIKE PAY.

LONDON, September 13.

A thousand workmen engaged in the Preston colliery are euing the trustees of the Northumberland Miners' Union for seven weeks' strike pay. They left work without notice in order to resist the threeshift system. Strike pay, therefore, waa withheld, although th© county vot* favoured payment.

PERTH TRAM STRIKE. PERTH, September 14.

'A meeting of those tram strikers wha had expressed their dissatisfaction over" the recent settlement decided to resume worUc.

COTTONWORKERS' DISPUTE." LONDON, September 15. The grinders at the Rutland Cotton Mill, Oldham, refused to perform the task previously performed by them. This weakens the hope of an early settlement of the dispute.

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The Lord Mayor of Manchester lial offered to arbitrate in tho cotton dispute, but both sides are unyielding, pending tin meeting of the Cotton-spinners' Federation on Monday to decide whether thera shall be a general lock-out.