WATERSIDERS TO WORK OVERTIME

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5317, 1 February 1947, Page 5

WATERSIDERS TO WORK OVERTIME

(Press Assn —

australian decision. PORTS W1LL CEASE WORK FAILING AGREEMENT

-Rec. 9.30 p.m.")

SYDNEY, Jan. 31. The waterfront authorities have decided to suspend all ivatersiders who refuse to obey directions to work overtime. This means that unless either .tide gives way before Tuesday tll Australian ports will be paralysed because of the decision of Ihe Waterside Workers' Federalion to ban work after 5 p.m. until their claims for holidays p.nd attendance money have been rranted. Starting- with the first suspensions, the trouble will spread like a chain reaction thhough the A'ustrhlian waterfront within a short time. A quantity of cargo is already backed up at Sydney and 500,000 tons of wheat is waiting to be brought

from We..t Australia to New South Wales and Queensland. Resumption at Newcastle Newcastle watersiders returned to work to-day after striking because of the suspension of several men who refused to transfer from one ship to another. .The Federal Council advised the men to return pending a conference. Attempts are being made to bring about a general stoppage in the northenr coal industry as a protest against increased prices for meat. Four mines ai'e already on strike and others may cease work soon. The meat strike is over as far as the meat industry is concerned, but Newcastle slaughtermen were late in starting because of their objection tothe conditions under which they are to be re-engaged. The miriers' move is believed to come from the Communist Party, and to be organised as a reply to the statement by Mr. Chifley, the Prime Minister, that the workers could well ' alford to pay more for meat. The annual convention of Australian workers has decided to direct .*>3,000 shearer members throughout the Commonwealth not to accept employment after March 15-, except on the basis of a 40-hour, five-day week. The award provides for a 40-hour week. The resolution stated that the shearers should work the new hours without reduction of wages. The executive council will meet to decide what action will be taken if the court refuses to grant a 40-hour week to 90,000 other workers in various industries. Government Intervention Announced From Canberra SYDNEY, Jan. 31. Government intervention in the threatened waterfront strike which, unless averted, is expected to paralyse all Australian ports next week, was announced in Canberra to-day. Mr. Chifley has asked the Minister of Shipping and Supply, Senator Ashley, to confer with the interested parties in Sydney to-day. When Mr Chifley and Mr J. Healy, general secretary of the Waterside Workers' Federation, discussed the watersiders' demands recently, Mr. Chifley admitted that the watersiders had the country almost at their mercy because a quiclc turn-round of shipping was- the paramount need at present.