TRANSPORT STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 25 May 1912, Page 5

TRANSPORT STRIKE

MORE TROUBLE. DOCK DISPUTE SEQUEL. NEW CONDITIONS SOUGHT. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. , London, May 23. The Transport Workers' Union has ordered a general strike in consequence of the non-unionist trouble at the docks. Tho watchman at the Milwall Docks over whom the troußlo lias arisen, belonged to tho foremen's union, but, not coming under the Fame legal category as tho lightermen, the latter insisted upon his joining their union. Ho refused to do so, and this led to the strike. Tho lightermen admit that the case of the watchman was a pretest to give them a chance to affirm that tho masters had violated several points in the existing agreements. The whole question of pay and hours, they ask. should bo revised, including the payment of a minimum wage of 7s. Gd. to stevedores. EFFECT ON AUSTRALIAN CARGOES, MOUNTED POLICE IN TOOLEY STREET. (Eec. May 24, 11.40 p.m.) London, May 24. It is feared that the strike will result in serious damage to Australian fruit shipments. The steamer Maloja has been placed in dry dock with 500 cases of apples aboard. Only 7000 cases of the butter on the Demosthenes has been discharged. The wharf labourers were locked out on refusing to discharge apples carted by non-unionists. Clerks and salesmen thereupon unloaded the goods. Mounted police are patrolling Tooley Street. "A FIGHT TO A FINISH." 150,000 MEN AFFECTED. (Eec. May 25, 0.5 a.m.) London, May 24. The Transport Workers' Federation executive announced that the strike has been declared in consequence of tho boycotting of unionists by the employers, the deliberate breaking of agreements, and general vexatious interference with workmen. Mr. Gosling, president of the federation, states that 150,000 men are affected. Tho objects of the'strike are recognition of the federation ticket, and a uniform rate of pay equal to the highest wage now paid. He added that the struggle was going to bo a fight to a finish, and would not be over in a week or two. Mr. Bon Tillett, secretary of the Dockers' Union, states that if necessary the fight will not be confined to London. ' Other lead'ra'3 claim that the object is to secure a maximum working day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a minimum wage of 7s. 6d. a day. Tho Port of London Authority has informed the men that it is tinablo to employ only unionists. One hundred and fifty laden ships, aggregating a million tons, are held up. Among them is the New Zealand trader Waiwera, which has 8000 carcasses still aboard. Three hundred Covent Garden porters are striking for a porters' schedule of wages.