PROTEST MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 294, 12 December 1935, Page 10

PROTEST MEETING.

WESTFIELD WORKERS.

SLAUGHTERMEN AGGRIEVED. THEEE HUNDRED AFFECTED. A' protest meeting of the slaughtermen employed at the Westfield freezing works was held yesterday as the result of dissatisfaction with working conditions. The meeting was held at lunch time iii the adjoining main highway, because, it is stated, the management refused to allow the meeting to be held in the works'grounds.

Though the actual result was not made public, Mr. W. E. .Sill, secretary of tlio Auckland Butchers and Freezing Workers' Union, said this morning that there was considerable unrest among the men. Recently a claim for improved conditions had been filed by the union, Mr. -Sill added, but no progress had been made, though a conference had been held.

A further ground for complaint was the denial by the works management of full recognition of the union and its right to negotiate on behalf of the men. The men insisted on the full right of their union,- and the denial of the management had been consistent since the la?t industrial dispute which culminated ii) a strike in October, 1932.

lie had been to press the claims of the men, Mr. Sill added, has he was not able to disclose the proposed steps.

Some 300 men are at present employed in slaughtering at Westiield. The killing 6l lambs for export is in full swing, between '5000 "and 8000 passing through the works each day.