WATERSIDERS’ STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1926, Page 8

WATERSIDERS’ STRIKE.

The stupid “no overtime” strike of the Australian waterside workers has been terminated by the Arbitration Court agreeing to take their case earlier than in its true order among the cases awaiting the court’s decision, and to give an interim award on the items of the claim which relate to overtime and preference to unionists as soon as the evidence has been given. It is satisfactory that a means has been found for ending the exasperating delays to shipping which the strike has involved, especially as the holiday traffic between th® States is sure to be heavy. Unfortunately, there is no assurance for the employer that, if the award ia not of a nature which the union thinks acceptable, another strike will not be declared. It ia an open question whether the termination of the present dispute is due to the union’s determination to abide by tho decisions of the Arbitration Court, or whether the objections raised by tho Seamen’s and other unions to the effect of tho watereiders’ strike in putting their members out of employment had not more effect. It is this failure to honour awards to which they are parties which constitutes so grave a position in regard to organised labour to-day. It seems to have permeated the Australian Unions from top to base. Only a few weeks ago a Labour Government secured a vote from Parliament of four months’ supply on the solemn assurance that it would go to the country forthwith.- Since then political huchsterers have been busy, a bargain has keen made, and it is openly asserted that no appeal to the electors will be made until Parliament has run its full course. This, like the watersiders’ strike, may be apparently successful tactics, but in the long run is bound to be eschewed by the rank and file of Labour who as individuals, are as quick to resent sharp practice as any other section of the community.