QUEENSLAND RAIL STRIKE CRUMBLING

Grey River Argus, 2 April 1948, Page 3

QUEENSLAND RAIL STRIKE CRUMBLING

More Workers Want Resumption BRISBANE, April 1. The crumbling facade of the Queensland railway strike suffered considerably overnight following the decision by an overwhelming majority of the railwaymen at Rockhampton to inform the Premier, Mr Hanlon, that they are ready to negotiate for a settlement. GOVERNMENT’S TERMS ACCEPTABLE

The terms which they nave accepted as a settlement basis were those offered a fortnight ago by the Railways Commissioner, Mr Moloney, who restated last night that he would not oppose the claims in court. The men are prepared to return on the basis of a marginal increase of 12s 4d weekly for tradesmen, with proportional increases for semi-skill-ed and unskilled callings and weekend penalty rates. The original claims, for which 5000 railway employees went on strike on February 2, were 16s for fitters, 13s for .semi-skilled workers, Ils for labourers and week-end penalty rates. “We have never closed the door on negotialions”, said Mr Moloney, “but, as Mr Hanlon has said, negotiations must be made through the Industrial Court. I shall agree to an increase of 12s 4d lor tradesmen and shall support the request for proportional increases, which must be determined bv the court”. ELECTRICIANS' COUNCIL URGE RESUMPTION The State Council of the Electrical Trades Union, whose members are employed in the railway workshops, recommended members to resume work - on Monday.ENGINEERS DIVIDED A conference of the Queensland branches of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, which in face of the mounting opposition is attempting to define a new strike policy which may be acceptable to mass meetings, has failed to reach a decision. It will resume to-day after meeting the Central Disputes Committee.