WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 182, 31 January 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS. .. A BIG MEETING. STRIKE SEEMS IMMINENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The executive of the Tramway Employees' Union is pursuing a policy of secrecy. This morning a nweting of the executive took, place. There were pre-, sent representatives of nearly all th# unions belonging to the Trades and Labor Council, including Mr. W. F. Young, president . of the Trades and Labor Council, an'd secretary of tht Seamen's Union, Mr. M. J. Reardon, secretary of the General Labours' Union, Mr. E. J. Carey, secretary of the Cooks- and Waiter#' Union,>. Mr. W. C. Noot, secretary of the Electrical Workers' Union/ Mr, D. Blackie, secretary of the Drivers' Union, and other union secretaries. {The position was explained to the. visitors by Mr. Sutherland, secretary of the Tramways' Union, and then the party adjourned to the club room of the men at the car sheds. The meeting commenced at II o'clock, and continued till nearly 1 o'clock. The representatives of other unions were received with cheers by the tramway men present, the room being crowded. Speeches were delivered by the Labor leaders present, wiio assured the tramway men. of the support of the various workers represented. Tlie remarks of various speakers w.tre received with cheers and applause, especially the exhortation of one secretary, who urged the tramway men to stand firm to their principles and . fight their ciiuse • to, a finish. The situation' was discussed generally, and 1 the result was an agreement to strike.

What particular policy the executive proposes to adopt, and when the strike will take- place, none of the tramway men present would divulge. A pledge of secrecy lias been given by the tramway men. It is quite possible' that work will sease at a moment's notice.

The City Council, at time of writing, has not yet received any notice froin the union of the men's intention -to leave work:

The tramway men, according to statements of several to-day, are very loth to strike, but tin principle they feel that there is nothing for them to do but to cease work unless Inspector Fuller resigns.

The men employed in the power houses and car,sheds are all to come out in sympathy" with the tramway men, and the unions belonging to the Federation of Labor, represented by Mr. P. Hickey, are determined to support the tramway people in'every possible way. It is understood that the signing of the notice to be sent to'the City Council of the intention of "the union to cease work has been completed. The men had a fpurth meeting tonight, at which addresses were delivered by the representatives of both federation# of labpr. It is understood that cars will cease ' running from 2 to 4 p.m. to-morrow, m order' to get a full meeting of the men and that the meeting will decide whether a strike shall take place, and, if so, when. " , STRIKE AT TfeKOMA RAILWAY , WORKS., Tauparunui, Last Night. V About fifteen men employed on the Tekoma railway works near Taumarumii ' have oeased work, owing to dissatisfaction with their earnings. They were ' expecting to get 9s a day, but are not getting satisfactory assurance as to when it would be given them, so they put. down their tools. About 30 men are "• Still working.