THE OVERTIME STRIKE

Southland Times, Issue 19396, 10 November 1924, Page 5

THE OVERTIME STRIKE

ATTACK ON PREFERENCE ATTEMPT TO BREAK FEDERATION NO STEAM AFTER FIVE O’CLOCK. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). MELBOURNE, November 9. (Received November 10, 1 a.m.). In accordance with the decision not to supply steam for overtime work, the donkeymen on the inter-State steamers ceased work at noon on Saturday, but will resume at 8 o’clock on Monday morning. SYDNEY, November 9. A move has been planned by the oversea shipping representatives which may completely break the Waterside Workers’ Federation. Application will first be made to the Federal Arbitration Court for interpretation of the Union Award with regard to the preference given the Federation, alleging that it is only conditional and is opposed to the principle of straightout preference to Unionists. The overseas shipping companies will make the Federal Government a party to the issues with a view to having preference to the Union cancelled completely. That being done, the way will be paved for the establishment of a bureau system under police protection, if necessary, on all the wharves in Australia. Several minor affrays between wharf workers from the Shipping Bureau and others occurred at Woolloomooloo on Saturday night, when the men knocked off. The trouble usually arose through bystanders using certain epithets towards the Bureau men as they passed. The police were quickly on the scene. No serious injuries are reported. Despite the Overtime Strike, the interstate and overseas vessels scheduled to sail on Saturday, got away on time. The sailing of the Ulimaroa for Wellington was delayed an hour, owing to the firemen at the last moment leaving the steamer on the ground that their section of the crew was three men short. A full complement was later obtained. The Ferndale is still held up and the Moreton Bay dispute has reached an impasse.