STRIKES IN FRANCE.

Wairarapa Age, 30 May 1936, Page 5

STRIKES IN FRANCE.

OF POLITICAL CHARACTER. MOTOR & OTHER WORKERS. ACTION BY GOVERNMENT. (Received Friday, 7.35 p.m.) PARIS, May 28. A strike of motor trade employees, which seems to be political rather than industrial, is causing anxiety. The Renault factory- at Billaneourt has 30,000 employees idle. These have been joined by workers in other establishments, including the Citroen, Fiat and Licorne motor works, the Farman aviation works and also iron and silk industries. The gravity of the trouble has necessitated discussion by the Premier, M. Sarraut, who has assumed charge of the situation, with the Minister of Labour, M. Frossard, the Minister of Air, M. Deat and the Minister of War, General Maurin. M. Frossard has promised to do his utmost to - induce employers to negotiate with the strikers. Unrest is spreading to the provinces, where it involves agricultural workers. The strikers' demands range from higher wages to the abolition of overtime, the institution of paid holidays and the distribution of milk to, employees performing unhealthy work. Some of the employees resumed work when their demands were conceded. An agreement in principle was reached at the Ministry- of Labour in connection with the metal industries strike.