BLOW TO STRIKERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16506, 25 November 1927, Page 7

BLOW TO STRIKERS

COUNCIL'S OPPOSITION CONFERENCE DEMANDED . INDUSTRY JEOPARDISED ;Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Fresß*Afisn.l (Received November 25, noon) MELBOURNE, Nov. 25. | The executive of the Australian and New Zealand Council'of Trades Unions resolved to intervene in the overtime strike and request the management committee of the Waterside Workers" Federation to meet representatives ot the countil in conference. Although the proceedings were in camera, it is learned that strong exception was taken by some representatives to the action of tiro watersiders in jeopardising industry at a time when so many workers were unable to find employment. | The view is expressed that- should the I strike be permitted to extend many • members of other unions will become j automatically involved, with a consequent loss of employment. Objection is also taken to the direct action methods of the watersiders, who put the strike into operation without iirst- consulting other, organisations which are likelv to be affocted. It is anticipated that the watersiders, will resent the action of the council in* intervening in the dispute, and refuse to grant a conference, but it is believed that the council will be called upon to discipline the Watersiders Federation with the object of protecting the interests of other waterfront unions. I An official statement setting out the views of the watersiders olaims that the dispute originated in the vexatious delays of the Arbitration Court in hearing the unions' plaint, together with the studied hostility of employers in everv attempt that had been made in the last two years by both the court and the federation to reach an agreement in keeping with the industry. The statement concludes that right from the commencement the federation earnestly de- . sired to effect an agreement. \ WATERSIDERS' DISPUTE SHIPOWNERS' CHALLENGE MELBOURNE, Nov. 24. A joint conference of overseas and inter-State shipowners decided in future to insist on the full observance of all - awards and agreements with the Waterside Workers' Federation. When informed of this decision, the management committee of the Waterside declared that it was tantamount to a challenge and that a prolonged strike on the waterfront now seemed unavoidable. ■ LITTLE CHANGE IN STTDNEY * PROTECTION FOR PRODUCERS ,' v .' SYDNEY, Nov. 24. Locally, the watersiders' overtime strike has undergone little change. Developments are largely dependant on the shipowners' conference sitting at Melbourne Referring to the watersiders' overtime strike, Mr. Bruce promised that the Government would do everything in its I power, to protect the primary producers, ! who .found it necessary to handle their i own perishable goods. i QUEENSLAND JOINS IN PRESSURE BROUGHT TO BEAR . (Received Nov. 25,'ii00n.) "'' BRISBANE, Nov, 25. Acting on instructions from the. federal management committee, the Queensland Waterside Workers' Union' decided to fall into line with other parts of the Commonwealth and refuse to work overtime. It is understood that the committee of management threatened to declare the port ol Brisbane "black" unless Queensland watersiders the strikers. So j. far only one or two vessels are delayed at i Brisbane. . "., ■ ■;..