THREE MEETINGS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 74, 8 January 1941, Page 7

THREE MEETINGS

STOP-WORK AT FREEZERS.

DISMISSALS AT COOL STORES.

(Per*Press Association). AUCKLAND, January 7

Stop-Avork meetings Avere held to-day by the employees of freezing works in Westfield, SouthdoAvn, and Horotiu districts to discuss the position concerning the cool-store Avorkers in Auckland Avho Avere dismissed last Friday after refusing to work on Sundays. The holding of the meetings has created an impression in some quarters that the dispute might assume a more serious aspect, but this Avas discounted to-night by an authority in •close touch with the position. He said that there Avas little likelihood of this occurring.

At the Westfield freezing Avorkf-i on Monday morning killing operations Avere held up for about 40 minutes Avhile slaughtermen discussed the position of the dismissed employees, Avho are members of the NeAV Zealand Freezing Workers’ and Related Trades Industrial Union, in common Avith all employees in freezing works in . the Auckland 1 district. An official stated that the meeting Avas of a routine nature, since union members Avere involved in the dispute, and it Avas competent for slaughtermen to revieAV the position. It Avas stated that delegates Avere appointed to confer Avith delegates from other Avorks, ihcluding representatives of the chamber hands. A further meeting Avas to have been held at Westfield Avorks at lunch-time to-day, hut it Avas cancelled. Work was held up on the slaughtering floor at the S'outhdoAvn Avorks for almost an hour to-day for a similar reason. The men conferred Avith union officials after the lunch interval, and it is understood that the appointment of delegates Avas discussed. A more extensive stoppage occurred at Horotiu freezing Avorks, a meeting of 375 employees lasting from 12.30 until 2.10 p.m. It Avas subsequently stated that delegates were appointed to attend a conference in the city to-morroAV. The conference Avill take the form of a district union executive meeting, and its findings will be placed before mass meetings of employees at the respective Avorks.

It is understood that the case of the dismissed chamber hands will be fully stated and discussed. It Avas learned that in the last feAV days five members of the Waterside Workers’ Union Avere dismissed by the employing authorities for refusing to handle produce brought out of cool stores in Auckland by the men engaged in place of the dismissed chamber hands. Work is proceeding Avithout interruption at the two cool stores involved in the dispute. A further meeting of the Freezing Workers’ Union, to receive progress reports in connection with the recent dismissals, Avas held at the Trades Hall to-day. There' Avere also noon meetings at Westfield and Horotiu. Meanwhile Avork proceeds normally on the Avaterfront, the new cool storeemployees loading out for 0A r erseas vessels.