SYDNEY BAKERS' STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 307, 23 September 1919, Page 5

SYDNEY BAKERS' STRIKE

Sydney, September 22. The Bakers' Union has decided to discontinue supplies ot'.bread to the hospitals and asylums.—Press Assn.

TROUBLE THREATENS TO SPREAD. (Eec. September 22, 9.45 p.m.) Sydney,- September 22. ■ R-espoading to the bakers' decision, tho pastrycooks aud carters are balloting on the question of striking' to-morrow. The move is intended to further curtail tho supplies of bread, although the m'astera are optimistic that they will be able , to meet-the demands.—Press Aesn,

The president of the Master Bakers' Association (Mr. William White) states, on behalf oi' the association, the facts leading up to the strike. "Everything within reason has been done, by the master bakers to prevent.tho trouble," ho said. "Under, the award which recently expired the bakers were commencing work at either. 6 a.m. or . 8 a.m., and working 48 hours in an ordinary week and 44 hours in the week of the carters' holiday. The minimum wage was £3 10s. a week for ordinary hands, with additional pay for ovensmen, foremen, etc. A low.days before the expiry of tho award, and the union had made no new claim, the master bakers applied for an award granting night work under wages and conditions to be fixed by the Court, but at all times we ivere prepared to accept tho Court's decision. After hearing evidence, Judge Cmvowis intimated that lie would permit night baking with, a starting time at midnight, for 12s. Gd. a week in addition to that which the men were entitled to under the cost of living ruling, viz., £3 17s. 6d, As the hearing of the case, was somewhat protracted, tho master bakers offered to pay tho extra 7s. (id. a iveek pending the decision, and the men for eome time have been receiving a minimum wage of .£3 17s. Gd. wliilo working under the old conditions. On August 28, the union notified the Department of Labour and Industry of its intention to 'strike, and served, its "de.mands on the master bakers, claiming an 8 a.m. start (only), 4SJ hours a week, in ordinary weeks, and 39 hours in holiday weeks. This is an average of practically 424 I'ours a week all the year round. Pay'morit at the rate of J!4 ss. per- week for board hands, £i 15s. and £5 for foremen, and <£5 for doughniakers, and other concisions "were also claimed, which made their demands impossible. The union absohiW'y ignored and flouted the Court's decisions, giving the employers a definite week's notice, which expired on Sept6mher 12. Anxious to avoid trou'blo and maintain th'e supply of bread to the public, the employers on September C decided to waive their claim for a midnight start on condition that the men postponed their notice of strike, the two bodies then to confer on temis to govern' a start not earlier than 6 a.m. The executive of the union agreed to recommend this to the mass meeting hold on Saturday last. The men turned, 'it down, and refused to return to work to-day (Sunday), to bake bread for delivery to-morrow (Monday) ' ' '

"The claims of the men arc unreasonable and beyond what the Court has indicated it will grant. It can.be shown that the present price of bread is returning a very-small margin of profit to tho Ijaker, and it is quite certain that these claims cannot bo conceded without a very materia.l rise in the price. Unfortunately (he public will have to go short of bread, because the men refuse to work under the terms laid down by., the Court, 'because of their refusal to accept a compromise which would have ovoreomo the determined objection to night , work. At the present moment they are not striking against night work, as the employers were prepared to waive that difficulty and', confer on a 6 a.m. start, font they are/ striking for conditions which'would compel a large increase in the price of bread. The- employers therefore claim the sympathy of the public in this strike," concluded Mr. White, "as they have done their very best to prevent it by n<ll reasonable means." Mr. Holman has made the following statement on tho subject of the strike:— "This is not a dispute about night bakiiiji a t all. No one now asks for night baking. The differences between tho partics arise over wages and working conditions. But a greater issue also emerges, j We find ourselves now at the parting | of the ways. Either wo. are goiiiß to ■ labour troubles in this State by menus j of arbitration or by direct action. The; National Government stands for the principles of arbitration; a large section of tlm employees believe in it; the master bakers stand for it. Unfortunately, u section of. the men now in control nf Uio union rely upon direct action. Slf ever (hero, was a case in which tho public have a direct interest, this is that case. The price of bread has not been arbitrarily fixed by the mastor bakers; many inquiries have taken place on the subject, both by Vcderal and State tribunals. I am in a position to say that it would bo impossible for the employers to concedo tho men's demands and produce profitably without raising the price of bread. Even n farthing advance would represent a six p*r cent, increase in tho bread bill. Until the men establish thejr case before an arbitration tribunal :.th Government-will uso ever) , 'means in its power to assist those who are endeavouring to supply the public with bread at this crisis."