OVERTIME STRIKE

Southland Times, Issue 19393, 6 November 1924, Page 5

OVERTIME STRIKE

DISLOCATION OF TRADE UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASING FURTHER COMPLICATIONS FEARED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, November 5. The trouble due to waterside workers refusing to work overtime is extending. At least seven inter-state steamers will be laid up in Sydney and Melbourne this week, thus throwing out of work members of maritime unions. The numbers of returned soldiets and sailors employed by the Shipping Bureau are increasing, following a ready response to the call for more men. The Trolly and Draymen’s Union makes no secret of its willingness to be drawn into the dispute. The irritation policy is being carried on only to a modified extent. So far gear has been replaced and goods covered at knocking off time. There has been no report of ‘go-slow tactics or faulty loading and stacking. At Newcastle unemployment is also increasing. The coal trade is menaced by the coal trimmers’ refusal to work after 4 p.m. If, at the end of the present week the tactics, are still in operation, fifteen collieries on the Maitland field will have to close down, rendering idle 7500 men. It is reported that dissatisfaction exists among a number of coal trimmers over the abolition of overtime. The rate of payment till 4 p.m. is three shillings an hour, and after that 4/6. It is learned from a reliable quarter that a petition has been lodged with the Secretary of the Coal Trimmers’ Union asking that another meeting be called to review the position. At a meeting to-day, the Marine Stewards decided that until 47 members of the crew of the steamer Moreton Bay are reinstated no members of the Union would offer his services in any capacity. Following this decision, the management of the Commonwealth Line decided to call for unionist volunteers to fill the vacancies. This may lead to further complications. MELBOURNE, November 5. There is no apparent weakening in the decision of the Melbourne waterside workers to hold aloof from the overtime strike. THE TROUBLE SPREADING. PROPOSED ACTION BY EMPLOYERS. SYDNEY, November 5. (Received, November 6, 2.30 a.m.) Sa far the companies have suffered considerable inconvenience but not much actual financial loss through the overtime strike. Work for the wharfies is substantially cut down by their own action and the Shipping Labour Bureau men, against whom the fight is directed, are kept busier than ever. The marine superintendent of the Commonwealth Line stated thus the Line had a scheme to meet the situation but would not yet make it public. It is believed, however, that the Line will make application to the Federal Arbitration Court for deregistration of the Waterside Workers’ Federation Seamens’ Union and Marine Stewards’ Union decided not to work the Moreton Bay until all the dismissed men are reinstated. The Ferndale is still short of nine firemen and nine seamen and will be moved on Thursday to the dock where it is expected a crew will be signed on. The perishable cargo has been despatched by another steamer. The stewards of the Ferndale to-day gave 24 hours notice of their intention to leave the ship, but as the vessel will not carry passengers she can sail without stewards. A mass meeting of watersiders decided not to work the Commonwealth steamers until the disputes with the Moreton Bay stewards and Ferndale’s seamen are settled.