LABOUR TROUBLES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10614, 12 June 1920, Page 7

LABOUR TROUBLES

UPHEAVAL IN MELBOURNE FIRST STACK PRECIPITATED BP GAS WORKERS. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N./,. Cable Association. (Received Juno 11, 11.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Juno 11. The first phase of the threatepod industrial upheaval was preeipitated by the gasworkerg in 'the employ of the .Metropolitan,. Brighton. Wiluamstowu and Footscray companies ceasing work this morning, the engine-drivers at the works stopping with them. Half an hour after the stoppage the gas supplies commenced to tail, the manufacturers falling back upon emergency plants for power. The -trouble mentioned above was foreshadowed in a message published yesterday, which stated The Federated Engine-drivers and E'irenien's Association, and the electric- light and gasworks employees have scut a ultimatum to tlic empiowers demanding increased wages, and stating, that if they are not granted they will cease work at midnight on Saturday. If the threat jh carried into effect it is estimated that 50,000 will be rendered idle the first week, as engine-drivers belong to the association, LITHGOW IRONWORKS CLOSED. {Received June 11, 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 11. Owing to a dispute between the management and the moulders at the Lithgow blast furnaces the management has closed tho works, rendering- q thousand men idle.