Strikers in Doubt

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 9

Strikers in Doubt

EMPLOYERS TAKE FIRM ATTITUDE WATERSIDE HOLD-UP By Cattle. —Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. noon. SYDNEY, To-day. A N ultimatum by the ship- * owners had a bombshell effect among the waterside strikers. Opinion is divided among the men whether they will continue the strike in view of the employers’ firm attitude. It is stated in well-informed circles that if the Committee of Management of the watersiders decided to continue the strike, there will he a general upheaval in the maritime industry. The Overseas Shipping Representatives’ Association and the Commonwealth Steamship Owners’ Association, in a joint letter to the Waterside Workers’ Federation, officially notified the federation that from eight o’clock next Wednesday morning work will be offered to members of the federation only on condition that all terms of awards and agreements are observed. The letter outlines the directions in which the shipping industry has been hampered and damaged through the members of the federation constantly failing to observe Arbitration Court awards and other agreements. It says the position has become intolerable. The shipping industry can no longer be carried on under such impossible conditions, and therefore, from next Wednesday, as a condition of employment. all practices that conflict with awards and agreements must cease. DISPUTE MAY INTENSIFY It, is specially pointed out that members of the federation refused to work overtime in spite of the fact that the court laid down that such work was essential to the industry, and provision was made for it. in the award. The Waterside Workers’ Federation regards the shipowners’ ukase as a declaration of war, and states that it will refuse to accede to it until either the court or the shipowners agree to consider the claims of the federation. The Management Committee of the federation is discussing its further policy to be adopted in view of the owners’ decision. A section of the committee favours ail intensification of the dispute by declaring vessels ■‘black.” —A. and N.Z.

The strike is causing delay in the departure of a number of steamers, and others are leaving short-loaded. The Ulimaroa had to leave part of her cargo behind.