STRIKE THREATENED

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14229, 2 December 1919, Page 5

STRIKE THREATENED

FIXED FOR ELECTION DAY. WAR BONUS TROUBLE. "NOT HAD SQUARE DEAL." The refusal of the Government to pay the promised war bonus to Post and Telegraph officials has led to considerable dissatisfaction throughout the service. When the re-classification was made, it was on the express understanding that the war bonus would be paid. This has not, however, been done, and the position now is that not only have the officers not received the bonus, hut they are suffering also from a lower classification, for the official responsible for the classification admits in his report that had he known the. bonus was not be paid, the classification would have been on a different scale.

There are persistent rumours abroad that the officials of the service intend to strike on the 17th inst. (election day) unless the Government gives a definite promise that the bonus will be paid within a stipulated period.

The threat would, if carried into effect, even in normal times, cause a considerable dislocation of business, but on such an occasion as the day of the general election, the effect would mean a very serious disorganisation indeed. Local officials refuse to either deny or confirm the rumour, but from their conversation it is gathered that feeling is running very high on the matter. They say they have not had a square deal, and will not be pacified until either the bonus is paid or a higher reclassification made..