IRON TRADE STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1926, Page 1

IRON TRADE STRIKE

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] IRON TRADE STRIKE. SYDNEY, Alay 3. As anticipated, a strike in the iron trade, over the forty-four hours week trouble, was fairly launched this morning.’ When the men, who on Saturday absented themselves from work, arrived to-day and reported for- duty, tlie.v were, according to notices that previously had been posted at tho various workshops, dismissed. Tho men reported, upon instructions from their union. They wore expecting tho answer that they received. Tho men accepted the position quietly. In most cases tho men wore paid off. In some instances mutual regret was expressed over the position that has arisen, both sides explaining that they were obeying decisions that were reached by their controlling organisations. The situation is not yet clear. According to statements made by the officials of the Unions involved, a considerable number of tho firms in tho metropolitan area did not carry out their decision to dismiss their men. N.S.TV. POSITION. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Alay 4. I t is impossible to give anything like a definite estimate of the number affected by the ironworkers’ strike. According to trades ball estimate 3,000 men were discharged and 25,000 others will he directly or indirectly affected. Most of the unions have already taken steps to apply to the Federal Arbitration Court for a variation of tbe award to secure a forty-four hour week. The Alinister of Labour is keeping in close touch with the principals of both forty-louf hours’ and engineers’ . disputes. In regard to the latter it is stated that proposals are under consideration which may avert a cessation of work on Friday.