£25,000 LOST BY STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1933, Page 7

£25,000 LOST BY STRIKE

FELLMONGERS IN N.S.W.

NO SIGN YET OF SETTLEMENT

FREE LABOUR SUGGESTED

WORK BEFORE NEGOTIATION

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

Sydney, Sept. 25.

The fellmongers’ strike shows no signs of breaking. The employers are determined to have no dealings with the men till the latter resume, and are considering replacing them with volunteer labour if necessary.

Employers and enthusiastic helpers, including office staffs, worked throughout the week-end and saved a considerable number of pelts which would have been destroyed as the result of the strike. Future supplies of sheep and lamb skins will be dried and sent overseas for treatment, meaning a heavy loss to the industry here. If the strike continues action may be taken under the Commonwealth Arbitration Act, which provides a penalty of £25 against any union ceasing work during the currency of an award. The losses already suffered by the employers amount at least to £25,000.

Employers are concerned at the Communistic character of the strike, which is calculated to inflict maximum loss and disorganisation on the industry, and constituting direct action in defiance of law and order. It is stated authoritatively that if the strike is prolonged the strikers will receive no dole from the State Government. There are 1400 men idle as a result of the strike. The wool and basil workers ceased operations on Friday. Eight hundred are on strike and 600 were dismissed as a result. The trouble may involve the butchers, tanners, storemen, packers and road transport unions. The Chamber of Manufacturers on Saturday expressed the opinion that after the work in hand was finished the best course would be to close the works. In order to prevent the spread of disorganisation slaughtering will be continued in the meantime. The State Government is powerless as the dispute affects a Federal award, but in view of the fact that thousands of State workers are affected by the extension of the trouble the Minister of Labour is watching events closely.