WHARF LABORERS' STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 71, 13 March 1908, Page 2

WHARF LABORERS' STRIKE.

Received 12tli, 4 p.m. Sydney, Match 12. The strike decided upon liy the wharf laborers was enforced to-day. Excepting the North Coast and lllawarra Companies, which employ non-unionists and against which the strike is directed, practically all the inter-State wharves are idle, a few of the permanent hands only working. The most affected of the wharves are the Howard, Smitli and Co.'s, Huddart Parker's, the Union Company's, and the Adelaide Company's. Received 12th, 1ii.20 p.m. Sydney, February 12. The Newcastle wharf laborers have struck out of sympathy for the Sydney strikers.

SHIPPING PARALYSED. OVER 3000 MEN CEASED WORK. Received 12th, 11.44 p.m. Sydney, March 12. The strike has almost entirely paralysed tbe shipping trade of the port. Over ;)000 wharf laborers ceased work a-s a protest against, the North Coast Steam Navigation, Newcastle and Hunter River, and the lllawarra Companies employing non-unionists. These three companies pay wharf laborers Is V/A per hour per day, and Is 4%d for night work, while the other companies pay la I'/., and Is Sd. The trouble with the three companies named has existed since January, when the unionists employed by them struck for rates given by the inter-State companies. The men have grievances against the others, but they object to the charge of helping the coastal companies in their fight against the unionists on .strike by touching the cargo which non-unionists have handled. A general strike was decided upon to bring matters to a crisis, with the hope of forcing recognition of their claims. The oilicials of the Wharf Laborers' Union express regret that the strike should affect the inter-State companiesj but they urge that it is the only method of reaching a settlement. A meeting of the steamship owners was held in the morning. Subsequently representatives of the Wharf Laborers' Union met the owners, and officially informed them of the decision of the men. The owners met again In the afternoon and discussed the situation.

"A' FIGHT TO A FINISH." THE MEN DETERMINED. Received 13th, 12.30 a.m. Sydney, March 12. Throughout the day the strikers congregated along the harbor front and in the viciuity of the wharves of the three coastal companies over which the trouble has arisen, where work is proceeding as usual. At the other wharves work is confined to a few permanent hands and the crew of arriving vessels. These are engaged in discharging perishable cargo and passengers' luggage, but so far they have not attempted to handle any other cargo. Some of the wharves decline to receive cargo.

Amongst the vessels that arrived today which are held up are the Westralla, Moldavia, and Gongala. The strike committee have appointed men to picket the wharves . Everything is orderly and quiet. The men express themselves as determined to fight to a finish and claim that they are sure of the support of other unions.

THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. EXTENSION OF THE STRIKE FEARED. Received 13th, 1.7 a.m. Sydney, March 12. It transpires that negotiations have been proceeding between the Steamship Owners' Association and the Wharf Laborers' Union since the commencement of the trouble with the three coastal companies. With a view to a settlement the Union offered to handle the cargo of the coastal steamers if the steamers were worked by members of the Union, receiving union rates of pay. The coastal companies declined to accept these terms. Further negotiations failing, a ballot was decided upon by the Union. It is understood that the voting was approximately 900 for and 000 against a strike, out of a membership of 3300.

The secretary of the Wharf Laborers' Union stated to-night that it is probable the trouble will extend to the whole of the States.' He did not expect the strike to last long, as the «ntirc shipping of the Commonwealth would be tied up if it did.