THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2657, 26 September 1881, Page 2

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

The workmen employed in the Addington railway workshops turned out on strike on Saturday. They had previously published the following advertisement:— “ An appeal to the working mass rf Christchurch.—We, the blacksmiths, fitters, turners, machinists, hammermen and laborers of the Addington workshops, do earnestly solicit the help and sympathy of all engaged in a similar class of trade. We, being obliged by the action of the Government having forced upon us a ten per cent reduction on a former occasion when the Colony was in a state of depression, we having applied to be placed on the original scale of wages prior to such reduction, such application being refused, we are determined to come out on strike. We therefore ask the help of all honest, good men,'to refrain from applying for ou| situations.” The men who have turned out on strike from the Addington workshops, (says the “ Lyttelton Times,”) are as follows :—Blacksmiths, 16; Strikers, 19; Fitters, 16; Machinists, 5 ; Turners, 8; Labourers, 2; Tinsmith, 1; Brass Finisher, 1. Total 68. The plea set up by the men has already been given. On the other hand, it appears from inquiries made, that at the time 'of the general ten per cent special arrangement was made with the artisans affected ; and instead of being included in the tjie ten per cent regulation, they were ottered, and accepted, a new scale of wages, tho

effect of which waa to reduce their pay from 4y to 5 per cent. Kecently. as already announced in this journal, they communicated with the Government, the tenor of their message being ‘ Give ns ten per cent increase on our wages or we will strike.’ The Government in reply said, send a respectfully worded application and we will consider it; we can take no notice of a threat. _ Ine men adhered to their determination as previously expressed, and hence the result, one that will, wo think be much regretted.” - .. The Government are advertising tor men to take their places “ at current rates of pay.”