STILL ON STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1987, 18 February 1914, Page 7

STILL ON STRIKE

BUTCHERS' DISPUTE, TROUBLE MAY SPREAD, MEAT SHORTAGE IN SYDNEY. PRODUCE AT FAMINE PRICES Sy TelegraDh-FresiS MsosiatioE-Coßrrteht (Bcc. February 17, 9-.10 p.m.) Sydney, February 17. .Butchers, who went <m strike bacauso the employers failed to concede their demands for a 48-hour week and an advanco of 10s. weekly in wages, are still out.. Tho shortage of meat in the city continued to-day. Both sides pro* misej supplies, but none were forthcoming. There was a big run on fish, bacon, eggs, and game, all of which nro at advanced prices. It is impossible to secure bacon and hams tor prompt delivery. Future consignments aro already sold. Tho union officials are busy arranging a supply of fresh meat for to-mor-row. Two representatives of the union had authority to buy stock at Homebush, but none was purchased at tho sheep salos, the small carcass butchers stating that, it would bo no us© their buying as they would be unable to get tho stock killed, and they had nowhere to put them. There was a Cabinet meeting to-day, and thero is a probability of Government intervention. The Employers' Committee denies the union s statements that pressure was brought to bear upon individuals wishing to kill stock. No interference or intimidation of any kind was used, they say. A mass meeting of strikers unaiiimously decided to reject tho employers' proposals, made through the Minister for Latour (Mr. Estell). It was explained that they would have been prepared to favourably consider the question of resumption of work on their own terms, leaving the subsequent decision to tlie Oourt. .. The Minister for Public Works lias informed tho union representatives that so long as they break tlse law by striking they will not be allowed to "use- tho machinery of tho Industrial Arbitration Act. They have 180 cases ponding against the employers which may be delayed by tho disqualification of t&o union in proportion to the period during which an illegal attitude has been maintained.

Tho 'employees of the Riverstone Meat Works will strike in sympathy with the Glebe Island men. Tho position is that a deadlock exists; nothing can \m done until tho Government- takes further action.

Representative* of the Employers' ■Committee A',vill interview ■ ibo Minister for Labour"oKlay, and attempt to reach a solution of the trouble.

A compulsory conference has been convened at Melbourne because of tho trouble there.' Three Sydney executive officers .'have been summoned to attend. A number of unions affiliated to- tho Labour Council having now, drreotly or indirectly, become involved, the council to-night will probably consider tho question of intervention, } Unless, there is.,a ; . settlement within a day or two, the closing of many tanneries, boiling-down', and kindred works-— rendering idle thousands—is certain. ".';Tn'e';. Newcastle hare decided to 'continuG"wdrk'iiig , iiicl i 'afford financial support to the Sydney nfei. There is a feeling that tho position.hero and in Melbourne} in view of the temper of tho.two sides, contains all the" elements of a big industrial crisis, which will require the most carcfui handling to avert. The master butchers hAve decided that the shops shall be closed to-day, but that one in each suburb shall be opened COMPULSORY CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. THE' POSITION IN ADELAIDE. (Rec. February 17, 10 p.m.) Adelaide, February 17. The Federal President of the Meat Employees' Union considers that the only means of settling the dispute j» for the Judge of the Federal Arbitration Court to grant it compulsory confer*, enco. Unless active steps are. taken the trouble will spread io South Australia. Every master butcher in the State is being circularised, asking him to conform td tljtt Federal log wages, which tho union hopes to become operative in this State and in Victoria. to-morrow. fHE OVERTIME STRIKE. EXPECTED ANNOUNCEMENT. Sydneyj February 17. It is expected that tho decisions come to by the lato Melbourne conference- regarding the shipping trouble will be announced at a stop-work meeting on Thursday night aost. Meantime no overtime will bo worked at any of. the Com* monwealth ports. ENGINEERING WORKS IDLE, ' ANOTHER DISPUTE. ■ (Rec. February 18, at 1.5 a.m.) Sydney, February 17. Five hundred men went on strike at the Clyde works, Graiivilie, tp*day. The strike was precipitated by members'of. the Ironworkers' Assistants' Union making a demand for. an increase of 10s. per week in wages. Tlie demand was refused and the femployeis also refused to liold a conference with the men. The result is that the men will not resume work, and unless a speedy settlement is effected tho whole works (the property of the Glide Engineering Co., Ltd.) will cioso.