WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18816, 8 May 1920, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

FRENCH RAILWAYMEN RESUMING WORK.

OTHER WORKERS STRIKING. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.-) PARIS, May 6. The French railway strike has been a failure. The firm attitude has crushed the strikers. Although the Government’s announcement that the railway strike is as good as ended appears premature, many men are returning to work. There have been no extensions of the strike, but more men engaged in other industries have struck, including the metal workers and more miners. The strike of dockers and seamen continues, and is seriously hampering shippin*- _ THE SITUATION UNCHANGED. GRAVE COAL TROUBLE THREATENED. PARIS, May 6. (Received May 8, 12J5 ajn.) The strike situation is unchanged. If the miners in the Nord and Pas de Calais districts decide upon an effective strike, which is likely, the consequences will be immediately serious, because there districts provide three-fourth* of Prance’s coal supply. BRITISH ENGINEERING TRADE. REJECTION OF PIECE WORK. LONDON, May 6. The skilled workers in the engineering trades rejected piecework by four to one. The majority of employers had insisted on the adoption of piecework u a condition of their acceptance of the 47-hour week. Unskilled workers have already accepted piecework. THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE. SCOPE NOT TO BE EXTENDED. (United Service.) LONDON, Jfty 6. (Received May 7, 10.55 pm.) A conference of miners, railway men, and transport workers in London decided not to extend the scope of the Triple Alliance. The decision followed upon a long dissuasion on the efforts of the engineers and postal workers to secure membership. The leaders of the Alliance agreed that the poaribißtass of the big union idea were limited, and that enlargement of the membership would only weaken the chances of the Alliance, in a united strike-action. VICTORIAN R.ILWAYMErS DEMAND. DOUBLE PAY FOR ROYAL VISIT. MELBOURNE, May 7. Received May 7, 9.45 pjn.) A meeting of the transportation section of the Railwaymen’s Union decided to demand double pay during the whole of the Prince of Wales’ visit owing to the strain due to the increased traffic. AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND. ISLINGTON SLAUGHTERMEN’S DISPUTE. (Per United Pram Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Hay 7. Mr W. H, Hagger. Conciliation ConxmisStoner, stated to-day that after making inquiries into the cause of the stoppage of work at the hdington Freeting Works, he had come to the conclusion that there were misunderstandings, and he had reason to believe that both parties realised that fact. In the circumstances be had reason to hope that at a meeting of the employees to-mor-row night a complete settlement of the dispute would be reached, and that the employees would resume walk in a tew days.