BOILERMAKERS CEASE WORK

Evening Star, Issue 19792, 16 February 1928, Page 5

BOILERMAKERS CEASE WORK

PROTEST AGAINST BONUS SYSTEM OTHER WORKERS SYMPATHETIC STATE GOVERNMENT STANDS FIRM. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, February 16. (Received February 16, at 10.5 a.m.) As a protest against the introduction of the bonus system of payment at the Government dockyard at Walsh Island the boilermakers ceased work. The Trades Hall Council Disputes Committee decided that the ironworkers and machinists assisting the boilermakers in tho carriage shops, shipyards, and bridgeyards should be called upon to cease work immediately. A meeting of coachmakers employed at Walsh Island decided to support the boilermakers in the fight. Tho Acting Premier, Mr Buttenshaw, says that the Government will stand firm and will insist on the retention of the bonus system. “ Should tho men go on strike,” ho declared, “the dockyards will be closed down and immediate' steps taken to dispose of tho works as a State industrial undertaking.”

He said that there wore no men at present receiving less than tho award rate, and tho bonus system provided that the men could earn 50 per cent, above their award wages it they completed certain tasks set them. Mr Buttensbaw said that tho policy of the Government was against State industrial undertakings. Last year this undertaking lost about £50,000, and the management was instructed to make a strenuous effort to make it pay-

Trades Hall officials characterise Mr Buttenshaw’s threat to close down as Nationalist propaganda, and say: “ AVe have heard that tale before."