OVERTIME STRIKE

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19165, 23 November 1927, Page 9

OVERTIME STRIKE

POSITION IN 'AUSTRALIA. MANY VESSELS DELAYED. (by cable—press association— copyright.) (AUSTRALIA* AND N.Z CABLE ASSOCIATION.) MELBOURNE, November 22 The overtime strike has already delayed a number of vessels, including the mail steamer Mooltan, which was unable to depart to schedule time. The Union Company steamer Kakariki was declared "black" on her arrival from Risdon, because she contained a cargo of zinc loaded at the Electrolytic Zinc Company's works, Risdon, by the company's own labour. For s&me vears zinc has been loaded at the company's works by the company s employees, but recently the Tasmaman wharf labourers declared that the work belonged to them and threatened that if cargo was loaded by other labour it would be declared "black.'' This decision is regarded as part of the new policy of the Watersiders Federation in adopting irritation tactics against the shipowners. The Federation also threatens to declare the Commonwealth liner Fordsdale "black" if any attempt is made to transfer zinc from the Kakariki to the Fordedale. A joint statement issued by the Commonwealth Steamship Owners Association and the Oversea Shipping ttepresentatives' Association says that the Watersiders' Federation has repeatedly refused to give the Arbitration Court satisfactory guarantees that the old award would be obeyed in the event of their plaint proceeding before the Court. The Oversea Shipowners had held conferences with the Federation with a similar result. The men were violating the award in practically every port in Australia, and it was quite impossible for the shipowners to carry on business satisfactorily under the intolerable conditions atpresent existing. Referring to the Kakariki, the statement says: "The zinc aboard her is urgently required in London and was to have been transhipped to the Fordsdale to-day. It has been the practice for many years for the company's men to load the zinc at Risdon, and although the watersiders have several times asked the Court tor an order that members of the Federation only are entitled to this work, the Court, after full enquiries, in every case ha,"! ' declined to grant the application The I watersiders have now resorted to direct action in defiance of the Court." On the grounds that the vessel had been loaded hy non-union labour at the Electrolytic Company's wharf at Risdon, coal trimmers at Newcastle refused to handle the Norwegian steamer Yarra, which arrived for bunker supplies. The local agent refused to waste time conferring with the union officials to effect a settlement, ftnd ordered the vessel to continue her voyage to the Solomon Islands. QUEENSLAND WATERSIDERS. NOT ANXIOUS TO STRIKE. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z CABLE ASSOCIATION.) '■' BRISBANE, November 22. The State President of the Watersiders' Federation announced at Melbourne that at the Watersiders' Conference the Queensland representatives fought for exclusion from any future overtime strike, and it was promised that they only would be called -into, such a strike as a last resort. TROUBLE SPREADS TO HOBART. (AUSTBALIAH AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIpy.) (Received November 22nd, 11.35 p.m.) HOBART, November 22. The watersiders have notified shipowners of their intention to put no overtime instructions into force. OWNERS MEET IN MELBOURNE. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 22nd, 11.35 p.m.) MELBOURNE, November 22. A meeting of shipowners will be held to-morrow to consider the position. The Management Committee of the Waterside Workers' Union states that unless negotiations for settlement are entered into there is likely to be an intensification of the trouble. Failing a settlement, all ships, including mail boats, will' be declared black as they arrive at the various ports. QUEENSLAND AFFECTED. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 22nd, 11.35 p.m.) BRISBANE, November 22. Although it was understood that Queensland ports would not be affected by the strike, the men at Cairns and Mackay have fallen into lino with the watersiders of other States and refuse work after five o'clock. At Brisbane work continues as usual. SYDNEY LITTLE AFFECTED. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.! (Received November 22nd, 11.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 22. The waterside workers' overtime strike has so far affected Sydney shipping little, though it is expected to be felt" more in a few days. The owners are meeting the situation as best they can by employing the maximum of men during the day shiit.