Australian Ironworkers In Militant Mood

Chronicle (Levin), 8 April 1949, Page 5

Australian Ironworkers In Militant Mood

SYDNEY, April 7. • OfficialS of the Federated Ironworkers' Union expeCt a prolonged genera. strike of 40,000 members throughout Australia within two days, on the issue of the month's gaol sentence given Mr L. J. McPhillips, assistant nationa. seeretary of the union, by the Arhitration Court. Attempts by the union to promote a general stoppage today, were -a partiai failure but the union is still trying hard to extend the dispute. This morning only a few metal shopc employing a total of 500 men came out. Later today, however, a union officia. claimed that work had been stopped at 200 Sydney establishments but the em ployera say the iigure is greatly exag gerated. A survey sh o ws • that >mostt -big; >metai shops were working. There has been no strike at New -castle or Port Kembla j-et but a 24-houi stoppage is eontemplated. A clearer indication of the generi. feeling is expected after tonight '? meeting of the New South Wales Labour Council. In Canberra the Acting - Attornev General, Mr. JMcKenna, said that uo amount of striking could make tht. slightest diilerence. to the McPhillip sentence. He added that he hoped wiser counsel would prevail as a strike could bring only harm to the workers. Mr. McPhillips' only avenue to contest th sentence is to appeal to the High Court. He has not yet been arrested.