NEW TECHNIQUE IN DIRECT ACTION

Chronicle (Levin), 27 June 1946, Page 5

NEW TECHNIQUE IN DIRECT ACTION

STRIKE METHODS OF TRADE ^ ■' UNIONISTS Received Wednesday, 7 p.m. MELBOURNE, June 2G. _ Tlie Arbitration Court will investigate shipping tacties by unions. The Metal Trade Union is alleged to have been using a new technique in direet action against tlie employers which lias already cost the trade a loss of over £1,000,000. Ivey employees in some metal trades who beconie engaged in wage disputes with tlieir cmplovers, walk out of jobs and obtain wprlc elsewhcre and the unions dcclare tlie vacant jobs black. Tlius tliere is 110 dispute to refer to a tribunal in the ordinary way as oue' party has simply walked out. The Arbitration Court has now been asked to deal with such cases under the Natioual Security Regulations. Tliree thousand unionists will stop work today to attend a mass meeting protesting against the slowness of the Arbitration Court's hearing of the_40liour case, The meeting is organised by the waterfront meiubers of the Ironworkerg ' Union, Australian E11gineering Union and Ship Painting and Doekers' Union. Last week 3000 Vietorian railwayinen stopped work during the hearing of a case and niarched to the Iligh Court to protest against an allegoct delay in the hearing. All painters and doekers working in the port of Sydney will be laid ofli 011 Friday unless the strike of tlie ships ' painters and doekers at Balmain yards is called off and the Union abandons the claim that employees should en gage Inbour under the roster systera, This ultimatum has been presented to the union by waterfront employers. About 70 employees are eoncerned in the dispute but the ultimatum involves 3000 painters and doekers and a weekly wage lo'ss of £21,000. Employers are taking a stand because they consider that it is thfir right to select labour.