BIG TRAFFIC JAMB

Chronicle (Levin), 15 October 1946, Page 5

BIG TRAFFIC JAMB

i Press Assn.

^ rr— Tram and Bus Strike WORKERS HOLD MEETINGS

By Telegraph

- Copyright

Received Monday, 8.35 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 14. One of the greatest tiaffic snaris in Sydney 's history oecurred this morning as emergency transport tried to copc with thousands who eustomarily travei to worlc on trams and buses. Police offieers say that the traiiie eongestioii. between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. was the worst Sydney had ever known. Thousands of overloaded cars eaused a record congestion on the Harbour Bridge, in the centre of the city and in a number of suburbs. The tram and bus employees dec-ided at a mass meeting today that if their demands were not met, they would ar range another 24-hour stoppage for November 11. ' The meeting, whieh was attended by more than 2000 men, realfirmed .the decisions of yes'terday's meeting and instructed. the exeeutive to negotiate further .with .the authorities. Canberra( sources report this aftevuoon that the New.South Wales Government has approaehed " the Commonwealth for pennission to raise Sydney tram fares. Oommonwealth • officials will in vestigate New South Wales' tramwavs revenue during the last financial year when a loss of £340,293 was incurred. Despite disabilities today, retail and industrial firms. reported comparatively few absentees. Emergency transport organised by the bigger firms worked well and nearlv all firms and shops opened on time with adequate staff. All city retail houses will close at 5 p.m. today to perrait employees extra time to reach their homes. The men want an issue of uniforms and oilskins, superannuation benellts, and improved rolling-stoek. Following a report by the exeeutive of the Waterside Workers' Federation that very few men would be able to reach the wharves without transport, the Stevedoring industry Commission instructed men not to attempt to report for work. About 45 ships will, therefore, be idle all today. At a mass meeting today speakers will demand a five-day, 40-hour week in addition to the three main issues. Meanwhile, the great majority of workers face the loss of a day's pay as there is no provision in Federal awards for time lost through inability to ger to the place of employment. Threats Elsewhere South Australian railwaymen have decided upon a 24-hour stoppage on Monday next, and north Queenslann railway workers are also threatening •t rouble. At Townsville a stopwork meeting expressed dissatisfaetion at the allegeu lack of staff and attempts to speed up work. In South Australia, the stoppage wili be in protest against "inadequate wages and working conditions. "