FREEZING WORKERS' WAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 38, 13 February 1920, Page 7

FREEZING WORKERS' WAGES.

THE DOMINION CONFERENCE.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

CHR_TCHUECH, this day.

Employers and employees in the freezing industry in Canterbury are still negotiating over the question of wages. It is probable now, says the " Sun," that the South Island conference of representatives from both sides will be held in Christchurch on Tuesday next. Recently the New Zealand Freezing Workers' Federation conferred with the Associated Meat Companies in Wellington n the wages question. The'employers offered a 10 per cent bonus for hourly and weekly workers, and seven and a half per cent for piece workers (inclusive of overtime). The offer was not accepted by the men's representatives, but the North Island companies have agreed to pay these increases.' Some oi'the South Island companies, since they were not representett at the conference, feel not •bound by the decision, and are asking for a South Island conference. Up to the present one Canterbury company has decided to pay equal rates to those ruling in the North Island, while the Freezing Workers' Federation is against the holding of one conference in the North Island and another in the South. As a general principle, it feels that tinder the special circumstances it should agree to the employers' request in this case, it being understood that this is not to be treated as a precedent. The Federation points out that ther |r,is no difference in work as between the two islands, so that the granting of different rates and conditions would only lead to friction. The special circumstances which the Federation sees in the present position, arise from the abrupt termination of the recent conference, when the employers offered increased rates, and did not leave tt open to the men's representatives to negotiate further.