WAGES INCREASES SOUGHT BY N.S.W. METAL WORKERS

Grey River Argus, 1 September 1948, Page 7

WAGES INCREASES SOUGHT BY N.S.W. METAL WORKERS

STRIKES BY 70 MEN IDLES HUNDREDS SYDNEY, August 30 Two disputes which involved less than 70 men originally have paralysed two large factories and are threatening the employment of over 2000 workers. Nearly two months ago 45 welders struck at the Orange factory of the Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company Proprietary, Ltd., which normally employs 1300 people. The men demanded reclassification to first-class welders, entitling them to .a wage increase of 28s 6d a week. Three weeks later, 14 key. welders struck in support of the claim, forcing the company to stand down 700 Early in August the Federal Conciliation Commissioner confirmed the ruling made by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr D. V. Morrison) a year before that the men had been correctly classified by the company. The strikers who are members of the Communist-led Sheet Metal Workers’ Union, continued the dispute and negotiations are continuing, but 700 men are stil lout of work and the dispute threatens to spread. At the Clyde Engineering Com : pany works, 23 members of the Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemens Association, have resigned, and have decided not to return to the company. Theme,n are crane drivers. ThQ. company said that if they do not return it will have to close the works and •lay off about 1400 employees. Part of the plant is already idle. The Federal Conciliation Commissioner (Mr L.'.P. Austin) has called upon the men to return to wprk. A union official says that the men wil Inot return until their wages are adjusted and that most 1 of the 23 men are working in other jobs. Their discussions are held at week-ends to avoid losing time at these jobs.