The Dock Labourers Strike

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 34, 3 September 1889, Page 2

The Dock Labourers Strike

By Electric Telegraph — Copyright (PER UNITED PRK9S ASSOCIATION.) r i London, August 31. The Dock Companies have refused the offer of three thousand 7 : Belgian labourers at 4£<l per hour. .The Sen. on strike are greatly elated at the sympathy expressed by the wharf labourers at Sydney and Brisbane. The wharfingers have submitted to a comprumiae t covering the substance of the strikers' demand, slightly modifying the sixpenny rate of wage per hour when engaging casual workers longer than four hours. The Dock Companies and some of the wharfingers huve, however, declined to entertain this proposal. The men on strike to-day received £1600 from sympathisers. It has been Te ! solved to continue the strike. The shipowners and the leader of the wharfingers men on strike have' conferred to arrange terms on which vessels will be discharged in the river, with the result that on Monday it has been decided to boycott the dock companies. The meeting was, however, adjourned till Monday. Public opinion condemns the action of the Dock Companies, and clergy of all sects express sympathy with the dock labourers in their endeavour to receive a higher rate of wages. The Conservatives, Liberals and Radicals are subscribing to aid the strikers. The Socialists contracted to enter the agitation on the basis of trade unionists, otherwise the strikers refuse their assistance. The Fifeshire has discharged a third of her cargo, and as she has plenty of coal, her mutton remains in good condition. From the Kaikoura 600 carcases have been landed, and the steamor has sufficient coal to last for some days yet. September 1. The strikers have withdrawn the general strike manifesto, and have issued an appeal for financial aid. It is rumoured that the proprietors of the Albert Docks have agreed to the men's demands. September 2. The strikers have issued a new manifesto, in which they declare that they will continue on strike until their original demands are granted. An appeal is made to all societies throughout the whole of the country for assistance. The shipping companies have formed a committee to arrange for the discharge and loading of their own vessels. The shipowners have insured their property agaiust injury by riots to the extent of £2,000,000. Sydney, August 30 The jvharf labourers have cabled £500 to the London dock strikers.