CALL MADE FOR LABOUR

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23545, 24 January 1942, Page 6

CALL MADE FOR LABOUR

Municipal Abattoir At Auckland DEREGISTRATION OF UNION (PA.) AUCKLAND, January 23. A call for labour to man the Auckland Municipal Abbatoir at Westfield was authorised by the Mayor (Mr J. A. C. Allum) to-night, alter receiving advice from the Minister, for Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) that the works had been declared an essential industry under the National Service Emergency Regulations and that the abattoir branch of the Workers’ Union had been deregistered. In the event of sufficient labour offering it is intended to reopen the works on Monday. . . . „ The Minister’s action m bringing the industry within the regulations is in compliance with a request made to him recently by the Auckland City Council. ~ , „ Difficulties in staffing the works were accentuated by the dispute created when the labourers sought an increase in wages. The council refused to entertain the claims, and after several interruptions in the work this week the works were closed down on Wednesday under the instructions ot the Mayor. . ~ . The deregistration of the workj branch of the union automatically cancels the award governing the payment and conditions of employment of workers at the abattoir. It was confirmed by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr C. L. Hunter* that the deregistration applies omy to the works concerned in the dispute and has no efiect on other works. .. “It is the intention of the council to engage labour at award rates of pay and conditions, notwithstanding the Minister’s decision,” stated the Mayor. The abattoir manager, Mr W. R Rugg said that the normal com plement of the staff at the works was 27 slaughtermen and 35 labourers. “The prospect of the works resuming killing of stock will be welcomed by city butchers. Much of the stock which they bought at Wednesday’s stock sale is being held m the abattoir paddocks, and butchers had to draw supplies of meat from the local freezing works to-day for their week-end trade. With the exception of some lines, such as mutton, practically all shop requirements were filled by the works. There was a tendency for •housewives to make their week-end purchases early in the day, and the shops were exceptionally busy. Except for some limitation in the choice of cuts and meats in some shops, there was no inconvenience caused to the public.”