LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14144, 2 March 1910, Page 5

LABOUR.

<s. STRIKE IX PHILADELPHIA. STRIKERS CAUSE DEATHS. Press Association-Bv TdeEraph-Copyrieht NEW YOSK, Feb. 28? The Central Labour Union or Philadelphia, representing 140 unions, voted in favour of a sympathetic strike beginning on March sth. Th? strikers tampered with the tramway points, causing the derailment of tramcars. Two passengers were killed. A LITTLE STRIKE. THE WELLINGTON LUMPERS. The question is under discussion whether the wharf labourers who refused to discharge cement from the s.s. Wanakaat Wellington were guilty of the offence of striking or not. The award under which the wharf labourers are engaged at present makes no ) mention of the use or non-use of hooks | in handling particular classes of cargo. j The Amending Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1908 defines a "strike" as the '"act of ai*r number | of workers. ... in discontinuing em- : ployment. . . with intent to compel or induce any . . . employer . . Ito agree to terras of employment, or j comply with any demands made by the said .... workers." ; The award under which the wharf | labourers are working, provides a heavy penalty upon the union in the event of its being party to a strike. It is , stated that in the present case one of the union officials was a party to the action taken. The men themselves are somewhat displeased that they have been led into sucli a position. It is understood that the union is in funds to the amount of between £BOO and £IOOO. The Wellington "Post" explains that the Wanaka brought 500 tons of cement, in sacks, from Limestone Island, near Whangarei. The cargo, in the first instance, had been dumped into the holds anyhow: That is to say, the bags had not been stacked. Between 11 and 12 sacks go to the ton, and the men complain that, where stacking has not been followed, the sacks become wedged together, and it is almost impossible to handle their with any facility and without verj great strain when hooks are not used. The consignees, on the other hand, complain that the sacks are torn when hooks are used, and that great waste of material ensues. Be that as it may, the men on Saturday "walked out" in a body when they were informed that hooks were barred. Ti is the first time, so far as can be ascertained that the point has been, raised.

Another grievance with the men is this: that ' mfen handling cement in city stores are paid Is 6d per hour (ordinary time), while men working in. the holds of ships are paid Is 3d per hour only. It was pointed out that where cement has not been stowed in the hold of a vessel the bags become wedged in a most tantalising maimer. In many instances the "lugs" are buried under either sack, and handling by the "bald" end is a tedkros and often times painful process. A representative of the "Post" lookS) into the holds of the Wanaka and noticed? that the bags of cement were thrown together unsystemataoallv. It is explained that it is very difficult to get labour to stow the bags in the North. It is aW urged that in loading cement tne hold becomes filled with lime dust The men however, say that the labour can be obtained '•if'it is paid for."