FLAX INDUSTRY DEADLOCK.

Shannon News, 3 August 1928, Page 2

FLAX INDUSTRY DEADLOCK.

NO AGREEMENT OVER WAGES.

A complete deadlock has been reached in the flax industry and as a result there is reported to be serious distress in Foxton and Shannon amongst those usually engaged at the mills. In many eases men have been out of work since March and the losses to the millers whose plants are lying idle, must be heavy. It was fully expected that the mills would have resumed last month, but there is no indication at present of activity. The millers' proposal was that, m view of the low price of fibre on the London market a reduction of 10 per cent on award "rates should be agreed to. The men's reply was a suggested sliding scale on the following basis: When prices fall £2 per ton below the price obtained when the award was made, workers reduction 6d per day, piece workers 8 1-3 per cent; £4 per ton, Is and 6 2-3 per cent; £6 per ton, Is 6d and 10 per cent.; £8 per ton, 2s and 13 1-3 per cent. When prices increase above the price per ton fixed by the award: £2 per ton, an increase of 6d per day for wage workers and 3 1-3 per cent, piece workers; £4 per ton, 1/- and 6 2-3 per cent.; £6, 1/6 and 10 per cent.; £8 per ton, 2/- and 13 1-3 per cent. Neither party could aecept the other's solution and $o the mills remain idle aad the worker* unemployed,