STRIKE IN FACTORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 16, 30 October 1940, Page 3

STRIKE IN FACTORY

MEN RETURN AFTER ONE DAY.

VOLUNTEER WORKERS CARRY ON. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, October 28. A sti-ike occurred at the Featherston dairy factory yesterday after an ultimatum, signed by 15 of the 20 factory employees, had been presented to the manager the previous day. The Minister for Marketing (the Hon W. Nash) was informed, and he went to Featherston, where, with Mr B. Roberts, M.P. for Wairarapa, and Mr Simpson, of the Labour Department, lie saw the representatives of the men and the factory. After discussions the men agreed to return to work to-day under the terms of the award, it being arranged that the point at issue be referred to a disputes committee on November 4. , With aid from another district (Mungaroa) local farmers carried on at the factory yesterday and got through the day’s output of 16 vats of cheese.

The contents of the round robin handed to the manager (Mr A. J. Hawke) at 4.55 on Saturday were: “We, the undersigned factory workers, were employed here at £5 5s a week, plus overtime. W© now find our wages have been reduced. We demand that the wages be restored to the previous weekly wage of £5- ss. If by 10 o’clock to-morrow morning we have f.o definite assurance, of the restoration, we will strike at 10 a.m.”

The demand was refused, and the men walked, out at 10 a.m. yesterday. The management communicated with Mr J. J. Maher, of Mtmgario, chairman of the Wellington Co-operative Dairy-farmers’ Association. He took a party consisting of Mr D. Souness, factory manager for the association, and Messrs R. Cooper and J. Jaggers to Featherston at once. There, witii local farmers, the executive staff of the factory, and two Government graders,, the 16 vats were got through and any delay in production avoided. The volunteers were prepared to carry on till a. settlement was reached.

The factory secretary (Mr J. Blaiu) said yesterday that under the award the men worked 52 hours a week’ for 22 weeks of each year at £5 a week. The cost-of-living bonus of 5 per cent, was paid in addition. The Cheese Factory Labour Legislation Suspension Order, 1940 (No. 2) increased the period during which the men were required to work 52 hours by another 18 weeks.

The original 22-week period finished on October 1, when the extra 10s which the men had received was deducted, and the ordinary award rate of £4 10s, plus cost-of-living bonus was reverted to.