THE STRIKE SETTLED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 261, 27 March 1913, Page 5

THE STRIKE SETTLED

I SYDNEY FURRY STRIKERS CAIN I VICTORY. SERVICES RESUMED. 'MUCH .ll'lit LATIOX. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 20, 5.30 p.m. Sydney, March 20. Tim ferry strike has been settled. A ■lB hours week lias been conceded. The pay remains the same as at present for a 00 hours week. Overtime is to be at the

rate of time and a quarter. There is to be no victimisation on either side. The whole of the services were resumed at four o'clock.

The city was informed by a long outdrawn "cock-a-doodle-do," starting at Circular Quay and being taken up in turn by the various steamers swinging idly at the ferry wharves since the strike commenced. The tidings were spread and echoed round the harbor for a quarter of an hour.

The men are jubilant over the resumption and the terms of the agreement. These provide for a 80 hours ordinary working fortnight; one week not to comprise more than fio hours; overtime to the extent of twelve hours weekly on ordinary working days to be paid at the rate of time and a quarter; Sundays and holidays, Ihe overtime rate to be time and a half, with the other points previously mentioned. The agreement will come into force immediately on resumption, but an award for three years is to be made by the Wages Board on the basis of such agreement.. Preference to unionists and all other clauses usual in awards for any industry are included.

Mr. Holnie, Industrial Registrar, acted as intermediary for tlie parties, and displayed much judgment, smoothing points which nt times threatened to block negotiations.

Before the settlement was reached the Sydney ferries started running. Free labor manned a boat from Circular Quay to Wilson's Point. This caused excitement amongst the stivers, and led all the ticket collectors, excepting one, to refuse duty. The attempt was not very successful, the bulk of the public preferring the Government's free joy rides.

As the settlement came in sight the Government retreated from the field. Received 27. 12.35 a.m. Sydney, March 26.

The ferry companies advertise that, as a set-off to the inconvenience caused to season ticket-holders, they will extend the tickets over a period equivalent to the strike.