#illegal strike

“Quashes Convictions of 14 On Illegal Strike Charges,” Toronto Star. December 20, 1941. Page 2. ---- Finds No Evidence C.G.E. Under Industrial Disputes Investigation Act ---- SEEK RECOGNITION --- A judgement delivered by Mr. Justice Gillanders yesterday quashes convictions by Magistrate Forsyth against 14 employees of the Canadian General Electric Co. on charges of striking illegally.

The convictions followed a walkout June 4 at two plants of the C.G.E., one at Davenport Rd. and the other at Ward St. The magistrate fined the men $20 a day for every day they were off work, with an alternative of 10 days in jail. The convictions were entered July 15.

Mr. Justice Gillanders found there was no evidence that the company came within the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act.

On behalf of the strikers, J.L. Cohen pleaded on appeal that there was no proof the plant was engaged in war work at the time and no proof was offered that the men were actually on strike.

Says Recognition Concerned Mr. Cohen contended that the matter of the strike, if there was one, concerned union recognition, and the Industrial Disputes Investigation AAct was not intended to apply to union recognition.

The appellants were F. Prayer, G. Warn, R. Betts, J. Pilkington, Michael J. Martin, H. Peace, H. Reye, R. Stephens, A. Moyanihan, J. Turner, D. Wallace, A. Harty, E. Haugthon and J. Munslow.

Mr. Justice Gillanders says in his judgement: ‘Order-in-council 4669, while it declares the plant in question to be an essential service unit with a view to assisting the civil authorities in the enforcement of the Defence of Canada regulations, does not declare the plant in question.of the work, undertaking or business of the company there carried on to be among those specified in order-in-council 3459, which order-in-council extends the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act.

‘Must Be Reversed’ ‘I am unable to conclude that Order-in-council 4660 brings the plant and dispute in question here within the provisions of order-in-council 3495 extending the provision of the I.D.A In my opinion there is no evidence in the stated case to support a finding that the plant in question here came under the provisions of the act.

“Showdown Looming With Breton Miners,” Toronto Star. August 26, 1941. Page 02. ---- Men Challenged on ‘Go Easy’ Policy in Coal Fields --- REFtUSED LAMPS ---- Special to The Star Ottawa, Aug. 26. - A showdown in the Cape Breton coal fields, where some 9,000 miners have been participating in a slowdown in production for the past four months, is under way at the mine heads, it is learned today.

Miners reporting for work on the day shift are being asked if they are prepared to do a full eight-hour day’s work, for eight hours’ pay. Those who indicate their continued unwillingness are being refused their lamps to go down into the pits to work.

The issue, it is stated, is being forced by the Dominion Steel and Coal Corp., whose foremen are questioning the miners as they arrive for work. About 20 ringleaders are involved, but for the present no arrests are in sight.

What may take place as a result of the ‘lamping process’ is that the miners may call a general strike, according to word here. In this event, Ottawa would immediately declare the strike illegal and drastic action is then expected to follow on the part of the departments of labor and justice. Officials of the two departments state, in this eventuality, decision will be made as to the form of action to be taken.

“Get Back to Work Strikers Warned,” Toronto Star. April 10, 1941. Page 02. ---- McLarty Says Legal Action To Be Taken Otherwise ---- Special to The Star Oshawa, April 10. - Hon. Norman McLarty, minister of labor, has wired the president of the striking union employees of the Schofield Woollen Co., Ltd. to return to work or ‘I shall find it necessary to take legal proceedings without further delay.’

This was the first time Mr. McLarty had communicated with the union members, all other dealings having been carried out through conciliation officers.

NLC Faction Meets Saraki & Dogara, Say Strike Continues

A team made up of the Ayuba Wabba-led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, met behind closed-doors on Thursday with Senate President Bukola Saraki, on their strike over the hike in fuel price.

Wabba told journalists after the parley that the strike would continue until the Federal Government resumed talks with the NLC, under his leadership, on the crisis.

On its part, Presidency said…