STOPPAGE OF WORK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 80, 16 January 1936, Page 3

STOPPAGE OF WORK

SLAUGHTERMEN AT AUCKLAND.

TROUBLE OVER "CHAIN"SYSTEM

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 15. A stoppage, of work in the slaughtering department at the Westfield freezing works occurred to-day,' after a stop-work meeting of the mutton butchers. Slaughtering operations ceased at 10 a.m., when the men held a meeting to discuss wage grievances. The proceedings extended until noon, when the works management decided to close down the department for the day. ft is understood that the issues discussed at the meeting concerns only slaughtermen engaged in killing lambs and sheep on the "chain" system which has been in vogue at the works since 1032. After killing, the sheep are suspended on an overhead "chain" and pass along in front of the slaughtermen. Each man carries out a single operation, and the management has graded the work and the men for remuneration purposes into three grades. According to statements by the men, there is considerable dissatisfaction among the workers in the two lower grades. They contend that there is too great a disparity in the wages, and claim that a uniform rate should be paid. Representations were made to the management and the men were informed that the points would lie considered, and a definite reply given to-morrow. Some of the lower-paid men, however, were insistent on a prompt settlement being reached, and discussions continued until the lunch hour, when the department was shut down by the management and the men left the works.

About 200 slaughtermen are directly concerned in the dispute, and a further meeting is to be held at the works before commencing operations to-morrow.