DUNEDIN TRANSPORT STRIKE ENTERS THIRD DAY

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1948, Page 3

DUNEDIN TRANSPORT STRIKE ENTERS THIRD DAY

Men Reject Ultimatum

DUNEDIN, June o.

Trams and buses were not running in Dunedin this morning when the tramways strike entered its third any. Approximately 360 men are involved in the strike.

The ..union’s claim is for permanent payment at a higher rate for men who perform relieving duties as drivers.

A special meeting of the Dunedin City Council was held, in committee, this morning. Hon. F. Jones, on behalf of Hon. A. McLagan, Ministe. of Labour, conveyed to the meeting a proposal that the council pay thj amount claimed by the Tramways Union in the meantime, without prejudice to the council’s claim. The letter said:—

Confirming our telephone conver sation of last evening, the following is the proposal which I have bem. asked by Mr McLagan, Minister of Labour, to convey to you for the consideration of your council: —

“ ‘That the council should agree to pay the amount claimed by theTramways Union in the meantime without prejudice to the council’s claim. At a tribunal meeting whicn is to be held on Wednesday of next week, the council could then pu._ forward the claim that they are not required by the award to make sucn payments and that the council should be entitled to recover the payment?, it has made, without prejudice, for the purpose of. securing a resumption of work. If the tribunal decides in the council's favour, it would be competent for the tribunal to award the council repayment of ‘ the -amounts paid’.” Transport committee’ chairman Dr,’ E. J. Anderson, released a statement, calling upon members of the union prepared to return to work to do so by 7 a.m. to-morrow. “Non-compliance with this notice will involve the dismissal of those who refuse duty; a call for staff to recommence the transport service, and instructions to the city solicitors to take such steps as are legal against those in the service who have broken the law,” the statement said. “The council was unable to accede to the Minister’s suggestion,” said Cr. Anderson. ‘'The council felt that the proposal did not touch really the main question of the resumption of transport and the reference of the problem to the constituted authority.” MEN REJECT ULTIMATUM The Tramwaymen’s Union rejected the city council’s ultimatum by 295 votes to 2.