COTTON DISPUTE

Southland Times, Issue 21853, 2 November 1932, Page 7

COTTON DISPUTE

40,000 IDLE AT OLDHAM. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, October 31. Forty thousand spinners are idle at Oldham, but six mills which are offering the old rates are fully staffed. GENERAL STOPPAGE LIKELY. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, October 31. The Operative Spinners’ Amalgamation refused by 84 votes to 38 to endorse the wages settlement reached one week ago by the executive after negotiations with the employers which lasted 87 hours. The amalgamation decided that members should strike this morning at all mills where wage reductions of 7.67 per cent., which were agreed to in the settlement, were put into effect. There is in consequence a prospect of a general stoppage at the spinning mills in Lancashire as from to-day. STOPPAGE ALMOST COMPLETE. (Rec. 12.10 a.m.) London, November 1. Apart from a few mills where the employers are continuing the old wages, the stoppage in the Lancashire spinning industry is virtually complete. Mr Leggett, a Ministry of Labour ronciliation officer, hurried to Manchester, but was powerless. The Spinning Amalgamation is taking a ballot among the operatives whether to continue or cease the strike. The result will be known at the week-end. Failing an early settlement a further 200,000 operatives will be idle owing to an enforced stoppage in the weaving section of the industry.