Complete Back-down By Union Communists

Chronicle (Levin), 3 April 1948, Page 4

Complete Back-down By Union Communists

-Reuter:

(N.Z.P.A.—

, Copyright)

BKISBANE, April 2. . The biggest liiuu.sirial deieat ever suil'ered by the CommunLst Larty iu Australia is foresliadowed l)y the decis'ion of tlie Conimunist vontrolled central disputes committee to reeommend tliat the raihvay workshops men accept a wage rise of 12s 4d per week with proportionate ihcreases for UDskilled 14ml semi-skilled workers. , The decision was reached eafly this morning after all night eiforts to obtain a face-saviiig settlement. Tlie terms now accepted by the 'disputes committee were offeretl early in the strike by the Queensland Government 'when it indicated that it would not oppose a 12s 4d increase in the •ArbL trailon Court. If the . committee 's recommendation is, adopted by niass meerrngs of railway-men today, they .will return to work on Tuesday or Wednesday. In a series of discussions Jast -night the Premier (Mr. Hahlon) yefused to increase the Government offer or repeal the anti-picketing legislation. The eommitte's liand was forced by reports that the. men a£. Toowoomlia,. (Rock hampton and other centres were p'reparing to resume work independently. Tlie sum of 12s 4d now accepted is the original claim lodged by tlie Ama]gamated Engineermg Union in the Industrial Court 011 September 18. The refusai of the Queensland Government tp accede when the union increased the demand to 16s was the original cause of the strilje. Tlie watersiders, whose strike has been ever more damaging* than that of Ihe railwavmen, are still determined to make a separate .issue of the antipicketing legislation. The chairman of the Stevedoring Tndustrv Oommrssion (Mr. .Tustice Kirby) appealed to the waterside leaders to end the strike by Tuesday, but no replv has been received. . - - y r * -