DANISH STRIKES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 15

DANISH STRIKES

Ending By New Law

(N Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) COPENHAGEN, May 15.

A bill passed by the Danish Parliament at dawn today after an all-night sitting finally ended a series of strikes which has disrupted industry and agriculture. With the Opposition abstaining. the Government parties made law wage proposals recently put forward by a State mediator, but rejected on Saturday by transport employers. This ended an almost five-week-old strike by 40.000 dockers, seamen, and transport workers which has paralysed Danish ports and hampered exports. The bill gives transport workers about Id more an hour and improved marginal benefits. An Opposition resolution to end the strike by law and send the wage dispute to arbitration was rejected. An estimated 2.400.000 working days have been lost by strikes in Denmark since the dockers and seamen went on strike on April 10. They were followed the next day by 110.000 metal industry employees.

Danish bacon production will resume today after settlement of a 10-day strike of 11.000 slaughterhouse workers seeking better pay and conditions. The strikers accepted a Government mediator's wage proposal by a big majority.