THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 44, 21 February 1914, Page 6

THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

o WILL SPREAD WIDELY. AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright [United Press Association.) (Received ’1,55 a. in Sydney, Fcbi'iarv 21. The Grand Council (>•' tin* Meat Industry declared that the skins ot cattle and sheep killed by master butch ers wore “black”, with the rest that three hundred tannery employees are idle.

The engine drivers and fireme i em ployed at freezing chambers eld » stop-work meeting at which they decided to cease work if such a-‘a.n were considered necessary in the interests of unionism.

The cold storage employees resolved that if an attempt was made to handle frozen meat for distribut or they too would cease.

Mr Estell claims that the men’s acceptance of his proposals is tantamount to making an offer to the mast or butchers. The employers abso lutely. deny that they offered to compromise, and state that the men or Thursday firmly Julhered to their determination. If the men resume, if must be at the old award rates. The Labor Council has decided tc intervene in the dispute owing to tlu fact that the number of affiliated unions affected or likely to he affected by the meetings called to-day ilikely to have an important hearing on the position. The whole issue will be reviewed b the fond production and distribution Council, /vhich includes fmirteei unions, including -bakers. It is

derstood that certain advice will be given in regard to next week’s bread supply. Amongst other probable developments,, the ice carters refuse to deliver to meat-supplying depots, ae additional three of which were opened to-day. The outlook is that tin strike is likely to widely extend.

The position in the iron trades iominous. Already . over two thousand are out. Practically every firm of magnitude is affected. One of the most serious phases of the strike is that some four hundred men in Hoskin’s pipe works at Tdti mo struck with the result that firms which have contracts from the Wate; Sewerage Board are at a standstill This means that all the work of ox tending the city and suburban watei supply is hung up. This also stop: the extensions required in the crcctioi of new buildings. The Trades and Labour Council ap pointed a committee representing tin whole of the iron trades which is to take charge of the dispute and coduct negotiations. It has also beet decided to place no obstacle in the way of firm’s working which have already conceded the demands a mounting to from -Is to 10s daily.

The action of the men of . tin Mort’s and Woolwich docks in striking while ships were undergoing repairs is regarded seriously by the shipping companies. It is considered that.it will have a detrimental effect on the port and the docking companies. The employers score through the men’s disregarding the constitutional methods of discussing grievances, and taking the law into their own hands.

Mr Estell has undertaken to expedite the sitting of the Wages Board to consider the men’s claims.