INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 21

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

(By Cable). STRIKE OF HULL WORKERS. LONDON, September 17. At Hull 130 steamers are idle through the strike of 5000 dock labourers, who are defying the leaders' efforts to induce a resumption of work. The undischarged cargoes include fruit and other perishable gOOU3. September 18. The Hull dock labourers are resuming work, pending negotiations.

STRIKE OF IRON FOUNDERS.

LONDON, September 20.

Fifty thousand ironfounders, coremakers, and dressers, representing those industries, have struck for an increase of 15s per week and 7s 6d for apprentices. In the event of a prolongation of the dispute all the engineering and boilermaking trades will inevitably stop. * LONDON, September 23.. The position in. regard to the ironfounders' strike continues serious. Stocks at the largest foundries are likely to be exhausted in a fortnight, and at the smaller foundries in a few days. The injury to the iron and steel industry will be greater, as the engineering trade is booming. The Ministry of Labour refuses to negotiate a settlement, adjudging the men to be guilty of a breach of agreement. The men assert that, the agreement empowered their withdrawal, after compliance with certain conditions, which they state were observed. Since then negotiations have been fruitless.

POSTAL WORKERS

LONDON, September 20

Three Postal Workers' Trade Unions have amalgamated, and resolved, despite many protests, that the first plank in their society's policy shall be a strike. A rtrike fund Ima been instituted.

AMERICAN STEEL WORKERS' STRIKE.

SOME RIOTING.

NEW YORK, September 18. A strike of employees of the United States Steel Trust has been called owing to the trust's refusal to recognise the unions. A sympathetic strike on the Great Lakes steamers is impending. September 21.

Reports received frsm a dozen cities, including Chicago, Calumet, Pittsburg, Birmingham, New York, Wheeling, and other steel districts, indicate that more than half a million steel workers will be. affected by the strike, which is to begin after midnight on Sunday. Most organisers have the m'en_ against violence. One thousand deputies _ and special constables have been sworn in in Ihe affected districts. Small disturbances occurred at Calumet, where organising strikers stoned the policemen. * . .■ * ilt is estimated that aliens belonging to 28""hationalities are among the strikers. Mr Gary, of the United States Steel Corporation, refused to comment upon the situation. \

According to a message from Pittsburg steel strikers' meetings were broken up a't M'Keesport, North Clairton, and Glassport. The State constabulary charged the- crowds, and several workers were clubbed, while shots were fired. A dozen arrests were effected.

September 22. Fifty thousand Steel Trust employees will strike on account of the refusal of the management to consider a 1 conference with a view to the settlement of grievances. Steel -works are now closing throughout the country. Strike riots have begun at Pittsburg. The police clubbed the strikers, and shots were fired, many people being injured. At Pittsburg the secretary (Mr Foster) of the Steel Workers' Union asserted that 279,100 workers struck on the first day. The employers assert that less than a third of this number walked/ out. The insurance companies estimate that, owing to rioting, the insurance rates in some steel districts have trebled. September 23.

A telegram from Chicago states that it is reported that the marine workers on ore-carrying vessels at the Great Lakes decided to refuse to handle ore destined for the steel factories involved in the strike.

At Newcastle (Pennsylvania) seven persons were shot, including two women, in a steel strike riot.

NEW YORK. September 23,

In the riots at Newcastle (Pennsylvania) following the steel workers' strike 11 persons were injured, one of whom died. Reports from Pittsburg state that there has been rioting at Farrell (Pennsylvania). Two of the rioters are dead, and many have been injured. The Steel Trust's furnaces are closed in many instances, and half staffs only are working. One of the greatest industrial struggles in America has been precipitated, and the United States has authorised an inquiry. State troops are guarding Pittsburg. The Bethlehem Steel Company's employees have decided upon an immediate sympathetic strike. Mr Foster, secretary of the Steel Unions, speaking at Pittsburg, asserted that 327,000 "'steel strikers are out. WASHINGTON, September 23.

The Senate adopted unanimously a resolution to investigate the steel strike, commencing on September 25. Mr E. H. Gary, chairman or the Steel Corporation, and" Mr Fitzpatrick, one of the organisers of the strike will be the first witnesses.

A STRIKE OPPOSED, NEW YORK, September 18. It is authoritatively announced that the

international heads of the printing trades unions are opposed to the proposed strike on October 1.

INDUSTRIAL COUNCILS

OTTAWA, September 19. The Canadian National Labour Conference has decided to ask the Government to create a bureau to promote the adoption of industrial councils throughout Canada. DIRECT ACTION DENOUNCED. PARIS, September 23.'. The French Labour Conference, by 1393 votes to 588, denounced the extremists who favour direct action, but initiated 0 new party aiming a t the widespread, nationalisation of industry.

SYDNEY BAKERS' STRIKE.

SYDNEY, September 21. The bakers' strikes are extending. A meeting, without taking a ballot, rejected the employers' latest offer.

September 22. The Bakers' Union has decided to discontinue supplies of bread for the hospitals and asvlums.

Responding to the bakers' decision the pastrycooks' carters are balloting on tho .question of striking to-morrow. Ihis move, is intended to further curtail supplies of bread, although the masters are optimistic that they will be able to meet demands.

September 23.. The Sydney master bakers announce that the" bread supply is now normal,, and there is no fear of a shortage. The association maintains its attitude that the men- must resume work before their claims can be discussed. . _ > The Government has decided not to reemploy members of the State bakery •if they carry out their proposal to strike. SYDNEY, September 24. The pastrycook and bread carters' ballot resulted in a refusal to ioin the strike.

A secret ballot was held by the strikers to decide whether to resume work on the employers' terms. A big majority voted for the continuance of the strike.

THE AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN.

TROUBLE BREWING

MELBOURNE, September 18.

The shipowners have agreed to return sick seamen to their home ports, paying their wages till their return to duty, providing the illness was contracted in service aboard ship. The owners also agreed to provide better accommodation for crews. September 23.

The Seamen's Union has resolved that unless Walsh is released by Wednesday morning a " stop work " meeting will be held, and recommends branches hi other States to adopt a similar' course. September 24. 'Walsh (secretary of the Seamen's Uniorf) has been released, portion of his sentence (for seditious! language in inciting . to strike) being remitted. SYDNEY, September 23.

The Seamen's Union has called a "stop work" meeting for Thursday to discuss the result of the recent conference. It appears that trouble is brewing owing to some owners' refusal to sign the new agreement.

LAWLESSNESS AT FREEMANTLE. FREMANTLE, September 22. A crowd, singing and waving a red flag, attacked policemen who were removing a sick seaman to the hospital. Several of the police- were injured. Two men have, been arrested. The police, fully armed, are awaiting developments.