SHIPPING STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1927, Page 2

SHIPPING STRIKE

WORKERS’ FIRM STAND. NO OVERTIME TO BE WORKED. DV TELEGRAPH PRESS ABSX., COPYRIGHT. SYDNEY, Nov. 30. Although warned before engagement that they are engaged under award conditions, including overtime, waterside workers started work this morning. An attempt in the afternoon, however, to engage workers failed, the men saying that eight o’clock in the morning was the time to engage them. It remains to be seen what developments will lie when the man are wanted for overtime duty to-night. It is anticipated that a crisis will then develop. Mr Seale, Secretary of the Sydney Branch of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, confirmed the statement that the watersiders had reached an agreement with the Commonwealth Line to work overtime, and they will make the same agreement with the inter-State companies which did not possess any ulterior motives. The crew of the Kiwiten were paid off. Further overseas vessels got away to-day. some without completing lond-

POSTPONEMENT ” A RUMOUR. MELBOURNE, Nov. 30. Though an unofficial statement gained currency that the overtime strike had been postponed till after Christmas, the watersiders were not working to-day. Several hundred attended a morning pick-up, but in view of the shipowners’ ukase that they will not take on men unless the latter agreed to work overtime, none of those offering signed on Vigilance officers of the Federation instructed the men already engaged for to-day to continue work on conditions on which they were engaged, but to cease punctually at five o’clock. Work was continued on a few vessels, but all overseas steamers, including the Maloja, were tied up. It is not knoun whether the Maloja will remain in Melbourne or go on to Sydney, her terminal port. She has two thousand tons of cargo for Melbourne, and three thousand for Sydney. She landed 130 passengers at Melbourne, and lias IGO for Sydney and New Zealand. Mr Swanson, spokesman for the Overseas Shipping Association, stated to-day that lie placed little faith in the report that the strike would bo suspended till after Christmas. Information from shipping companies’ officers, who attended the morning pickup was that the men had received definite instructions not to work overtime, and as this was one of the shipowners’ stipulations, no wharf labourers offered their services.

WATERSIDERS REFUSE OVERTIME ALL SHIPPING TIED UP. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m). SYDNEY, Dee. 1. Sydney watersiders are now in line with Melbourne. When at 6 o’clock they were asked to work overtime, they refused. This means that under shipowners’ terms of agreement, all loading and unloading of overseas and interstate vessels ceased, and ships were tied up as an indication that a long struggle is commencing. The Seamen’s Union has asked the Watersiders’ Federation to meet its representatives in conference to consider future conduct of the dispute. It is stated the seamen intend to urge all ships throughout Australia bo de-c-hired black. At Newcastle wharf labourers worked during the day, but to-night followed the lead of Sydney and declined overtime work. SHIPOWNERS INCENSED. MELBOURNE. Dee. 1. Shipowners are incensed at the Commonwealth Line standing aloof and giving them what is described as a stab in the hack. City coal supplies are threatened, among the ships hung up being four colliers. The position will be reviewed by the Trades Hall Counoil to-morrow when an effort will be made to force the Watersiders’ Federation to consult the whole Labour movement. Over thirty overseas and inter-State vessels are in port. Those duo to sail include the Ivaponga for New Zealand.

POLITICAL ACTION. In the Assembly the Premier (Mr Hogan) stated lie bad been exerting every effort to affect a settlement of the dispute and hoped to be possible to prevent a general stoppage. FREMANTLE. Dec. 1. Work proceeded as usual at the wharves to-dnv, but it is expected the men to-night will refuse overtime duties.