Victorian Foundries Strike of 1946
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Background
Event
VICTORIAN FOUNDRIES TO CLOSE Thousands Will Be Workless In Many Industries ALL FOUNDRIES IN VICTORIA ARE TO BE CLOSED AND THEIR EMPLOYEES DISMISSED BECAUSE OF ORGANISED MASS RESIGNATIONS FROM SEVERAL FOUNDRIES. | |
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This decision will immediately throw 3,300 men out of work. Unless a settlement is reached, the stoppage will extend to associated industries, and between 60,000 and 70,000 employees will lose their jobs. A long suspension of activities in foundries might disorganise nearly all Victorian industry, except the food and clothing trades. Railways will not be affected by last night’s decision unless the employees are called out by their unions, but tramway services may be disorganised because they depend on foundries for brake shoes. ‘Organised Resignations’ The decision to close the foundries, which was taken last night by the ironfounders’ section of the Chamber of Manufactures, was precipitated by a series of what the employers regarded as orfanised resignations by employees of two of the largest of the 100 foundries in Victoria. According to Mr B. Flanigan, secretary of the Federated Ironworkers’ Association, nearly 100 men have left the two foundries and are working at other trades. While the union claims that the resignations were not organised, but that the men left their employment in accordance with the terms of their award, the union had demanded increases of up to 30/ a week. Alternative figures suggested by union representatives at a conference yesterday with Mr N. A. Curphey, secretary of the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures, were 10/ a week for moulders and 7/ for ironworkers. Representatives Confer Mr Curphey, Mr Flanigan, and Mr Miller, secretary of the Federated Moulders (Metal) Union, conferred yesterday in an effort to bring about a settlement. Mr Flanigan said later that the conference had been held at the request of the chamber, and certain proposals were advanced by Mr Curphey as a basis for settlement. He charged the employers with “provoking a lockout,” and said it was ridiculous to accuse the unions of being responsible for low wages, bad conditions, and discontent in the iron foundries. Mr Curphey said, however, that no offer had come from the ironfounders’ section of the chamber. The object of the conference with the union representatives was to arrive at some mutually acceptable solution. The decision to give employees notice of dismissal was not put into effect last night in order to give the Trades Hall disputes committee an opportunity to intervene and effect a settlement, but if the disputes committee does not act notices may be given today.[1] |
Victorian Foundries Dispute Union Hold Up Settlement MELBOURNE, July 9 | |
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Although a basis of settlement of the dispute which threatened to close all iron foundries was reached today at a conference called by the Minister for Labor (Mr. Clary), the agreement had not been ratified tonight by the two unions concerned. Executive officers of the Ironworkers’ Association and the Moulders’ Union will meet again thi week to discuss the suggested settlement, which has been accepted by the iron founders’ section of the Chamber of Manufactures. The dispute began several months ago when the moulders section of the Ironworkers’ Association demanded a wage increase up to 30/ weekly for moulders employed in sections of iron foundries. This was opposed by employers. After go-slow tactics had proved unsuccessful, the Ironworkers’ Association made demands for wage increases on individual employers. Settlement Terms When this demand was refused the policy of wholesale resignations was adopted. At the conference called today by Mr. Clarey, it was agreed that dismissal notices to employes [sic] of all Victorian foundries to become operative on Friday should be withdrawn: men who had taken part in mass resignations from two foundries should return to work immediately; representatives of Victorian employers should meet interstate employers in the industry to consider grievances within a few days; all parties to the conference should meet again on Sunday to consider all industrial conditions in the industry. Discussion on Sunday will revolve round the question of what wage increase, if any, should be granted to moulders in all sections of the industry. It is understood in industrial circles that employers were prepared to meet in part the demand for wage increases, but that the Ironworkers’ Association was not satisfied with the amount offered. Deer Park Stalemate Efforts to settle the dispute at the Deer Park factory of Nobel (Australasia) Pty. Ltd., between the management and the Federated Ironworkers’ Association did not succeed today. The Ironworkers’ Association postponed enforcement of the decision to call a general cessation of work unless one employe [sic] was transferred to other employment or joined the Ironworkers’ Association until the Trades Hall disputes committee had completed its efforts to arrange a compromise with the company.[2] |
VICTORIAN FOUNDRIES DISPUTE HITCH Engineers Will Not Resume | |
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MELBOURNE, Sunday.-Although the foundries strike is officially over, a resumption of work is unlikely before Wednesday. A conference of unions on strike called by the A.C.T.U. this afternoon was told that the Amalgamated Engineering Union had decided that its members would not resume work at foundries until their demands for pay increases were granted. Ironworkers and moulders agreed at the conference to instruct members to report for work to-morrow morning and thus throw responsibility for a continued stoppage on to the employers. A stalemate was reached at the conference when the engineers’ representatives made their announcement and the parties agreed to adjourn until to-morrow. There is a feeling in industrial circles that the engineers may reconsider their decision before Wednesday and thus pave the way for a general resumption of work. Mr. J. Cranwell, Federal president of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, said after the A.C.T.U. conference that engineers considered their dispute distinct from that of ironworkers and moulders. More than 70 per cent. of ironworkers and moulders could be re-employed immediately without the attendance of engineers. Engineers were determined that they would not be frustrated in their demand for £1 a week increase in wages and improved working conditions, he added. They wanted a clear indication from employers that the demands would be granted and would not return to work unless that indication was given. “Engineers were thrown out of work by employers and the union will not allow them to be forced to walk the streets without receiving some recompense.” Mr. Cranwell said.[3] |
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--Beth Kicinski 14:33, 11 February 2013 (EST)