IRONFOUNDERS' STRIKE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 367, 11 May 1889, Page 5

IRONFOUNDERS ' STRIKE.

Considerable excitement prevailed in Ballarat last week in consequence of the Phoenix Foundry resuming operations with a mixed staff. The whole of the moulders, engineers, smiths, and machine men mustered before 8 o'clock on Tuesday, with the intention of going to work, but at the last moment the members of the Ironmouldors' Society were prevented from doing so by a telegram from the executive in Melbourne. The whole of the others, including three members of the Moulders' Friendly Society, went to work as usual ; but later in the day these three received a telegram from Melbourne instructing theui to cease work while the union men were on strike, and they did co. The local boilennakers declined to join, aud their places were partially supplied. The proprietors say they can carry on under the present conditions. A full stafi ot labourers w,ent to work. The police were told off for special duty, but there was no disorder. At the Union Foundry work is in full swing. On Wednesday, matters wereapparentlynonearerasettlement. The expected meeting between the Phoenix Foundry employees and the directors did not take place. The men were prepared to enter upon negotiations, but the directors declined to meet them ; hence preparations are being made by the unions for a prolonged battle. The delegates from the two Moulders" Societies returned trom Melbourne and reported that the men, including apprentices who wero not bound, must all stand out. As the result of the joint meeting, it was resolved to obey the resolution. The Boilermakers are firm in their resolve not to work with nonunion men. The appearance of the mounted police to prevent any distuibance has caused a deal of discus&ion. The officers of the Trades and Labour Council have pointed out to the head of the force that unless care be exercised by the police in the discharge of their duties serious results may follow. Nothing short of decisive action will prevent intimidation and violence. The moulders state that they will not post tickets at the Phoenix works, having no fear of skilled labour in their line being obtainable. Woik goes on smoothly at the Yuille-street Foundry, and a document containing the terms ot settlement has been signed by Mr Cowley. Matters were advanced a satisfactory stage by a settlement of the dispute at the Yuille - street Foundry. A compromise was arrived at between Mr Cornley and his men, and co the struggle is narrowed down to the Phoenix Foundry. About 400 men and boys were out on Wednesday at both the dinner hour and knock-off time, and made a demonstration against the new labourers. One man was followed about and was unable to get his dinner. The same man and his son, who only went in that day, were followed to Lydiard-stroet, where they were arrested by the police for protection, a serious disturbance being feared. Shortly afterwards a man was arrested for using language calculated to provoke a breach of the peace and several others were threatened with arrest. The same night a newly engaged labourer was ducked in a water trough.