THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2138, 13 March 1908, Page 3

THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

WHARF LABORERS CO OUT.

UNION CO. AND HUDDARTPARKER AFFECTED.

A SERIOUS OUTLOOK

Unitoil Press Association —Copyright (Received March 12, 4 p.m.)

SYDNEY, March 12

. The strike decided upon by tho wharf laborers was enforced to-dav. Excepting tho North Coast and Ulawarra- companies, which empire- nonunionists, and against which tho strike is directed, practically all tho inter-Statc wharves are idle, a few permanent hands only working. The most afl : ected are Howard Smith, Huddart-Parker, Union, and Adelaide companies. SHIPPING PARALYSED. A GENERAL STRIKE. United Press Association—Copyright (Received March 12, 11.44 p.m.) . SYDNEY, March 12. The strike has almost entirely paralysed the shipping trade of the port, and over 3000 wharf laborers ceased work as a protest against the North Coast Steam Navigation, Newcastle and Hunter River, and Ulawarra companies employing non-unionists. These three companies pay the wharf laborers Is lsd per hour for day work and Is 4Jd for night work, while the other companies pay ls-IRI and Is 3d. Trouble with the three companies named lias existed since January, when the unionists employed by them struck lor the rates given b- the interstate companies. Tho men have no grievance against tho other companies, but they object to tho charge of helping the coastal companies in their fight- against the unionists on strike by touching cargo which the non-unionists have handled. A general strike has been decided upon to bring matters to a crisis, in tho hope of. forcing a recognition of their claims. The officials of the wharf laborers’ unions express regret that tho strike should affect the interstate companies, but urge that it is the only method of reaching a settlement. A meeting of the steamship owners was held this morning, and subsequently representatives of the "Wharf Laborers’_ Union met. The owners officially informed them of the decision of the owners, who met again in the afternoon and discussed the situation. A FIGHT TO A FINISH. THE MEN DETERMINED. (Received March 13,,12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 12. Throughout the day the strikers have congregated . along the harbor front and in tho vicinity of the wharves of the three coastal companies over which the trouble" has arisen, and where work is proceeding as usual, At the other wharves the work" is confined tp a few permanent hands and the crews of the arriving vessels. These are engaged in discharging perishable cargo and passengers’ luggage, but so far have not attempted to handle any other cargo. Some wharves declined to receive any cargo, -and'amongst the vessels which arrived to-day, and which are held up, are the "West-rain, Moldavia, and the Yongala. A strike committee has been appointed, and the wharves are picketed. Everything is orderly and quiet, hut the men express themselves as determined to fight to a finish. They claim some support from the other unions. WHOLE STATE MAY BEAFFECTED. MEN’S OFFER REJECTED. - : - (Received March 13. 1.7 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 12.

It transpires that negotiations have been proceeding between the steamship owners 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, but the coastal companies declined to accept these terms. Further negotiations failing, a ballot was decided upon by the union, and it is understood that the voting was approximately 900 for and 600 against a strike, out of a membership of 3300. The secretary of the wharf laborers stated to-night that it is probable the trouble will extend over the whole State. He did not expect the* strike to last long, as the entire shipping of the Commonwealth' would bo tied up if it did. NEWCASTLE LABORERS FOLLOW SUIT. (.Received March 13, 1.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 10. Tho Newcastle wharf laborers have struck in sympathy with the Sydney Strikers.