WORKERS TO BE PROSECUTED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23589, 17 March 1942, Page 4

WORKERS TO BE PROSECUTED

♦ Freezing Works Stoppages DEREGISTRATION OF UNION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 16. “As a result of the action of the workers both at the Westfield Freezing Company works and at the works of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd., I have today cancelled the registration of the Auckland Abattoir Assistants’ and United Freezing Works Employees’ Union of Workers in respect of the works concerned in the stoppage.” said the Minister for Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) to-night. “This means that the award applying to workers in these works is also cancelled. Proceedings will also be taken against the workers at Westfield who are responsible for and who have taken part in the stoppage to-day.” The Minister prefaced this announcement with the following statement: — “While the nation is at war fighting for its very existence against the most unscrupulous foes that ever took up arms, a body of irresponsible industrial wreckers has created a war in the trenches on the industrial front. Every ounce of our energy will be needed (o make certain of victory, and whilst our soldiers by the thousands are giving up home life and comforts and facing death and sickness, a few people have taken the law' Into their own hands to do the work of the enemy by holding up supplies. "These men have issued a direct challenge to the Government. Their action is treasonable and will be treated as such. They have sacrificed every principle of industrial unionism. They have ignored their obligations under the law that gives them protection and preference to unionists, and have attempted 1o stab the country jn the back during its great hour of trial. They do not seem to realise that if this country suffered the same fatg as many other countries in Europe and the Pacific have suffered under Nazism, all their privileges and all the employers’ money, too. would be of no avail. They would be brushed overboard in a night. , ~. . . “This is no time to have a division m our own ranks, whether they be employers, capitalists, or workers. We must face the enemy with a united front. Everything is in the melting pot at the moment. The freedom that has taken hundreds of years to establish could bo ended if the Axis Powers triumphed, and if this country were invaded to-morrow there would he no stop-work meetings to discuss how we could best beat off the enemy. The people as a whole, irrespective of their class or position, would march together in the face of common danger. “So, I appeal earnestly to the men and women of the industry immediately to resume work. The men who are responsible for the present situation may find it difficult to get further work in the industry. They would be better employed in an industry not directly affecting our war effort. We cannot wish our way to victory. We. can only work and fight our way there, and any action that holds up production during the war is helping the enemy, and this I know the men and women of Westfield would not consciously do. “My final appeal to the workers is to remain loyal to their country and lo unionism, and to return to work and speed up production, and if they have any grievances, let them be dealt with constitutionally in keeping with their awards.” 1750 MEN IDLE DISPUTE AT WESTFIELD OTHER UNIONISTS CEASE (P.A.) AUCKLAND, March 16. The dispute at the Westfield works of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd., assumed a more serious aspect to-day when about 1400 employees of the Westfield Freezing Company, Ltd., decided to cease work in support of the 350 men who have been idje since Thursday. This action followed a secret ballot, the voting being about 900 in favour of supporting Hcllaby’s workers, and approximately 200 against. At a lunch hour meeting of 450 hands employed at the Southdown works of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company, Ltd., who are members of the s me union as the workers at Hellaby’s and Westfield, it was decided to advise the management that they would not handle any of the boned meat held for transport to Hellaby’s cannery. The men at the Southdown works continued as usual throughout the day. With, the exception of a number of workers who remained until about 4 p.m. clearing up, all departments at the Westfield Freezing Company’s works were idle from lunch time onwards. The action of the employees left the management with 7000 sheep and lambs, 2000 pigs, and 1000 cattle on their hands. This stock had lo be hold overnight and the perplexities facing the company were increased by the absence of pasturage resulting from the dry spell. The inadequate notice given of the cessation of operations prevented officials from cancelling railmonts of stock from the country, and large numbers are dpe lo arrive to-morrow. Efforts are being made to arrange for a skeleton team to deal with this stock and the staff hands at the works and country agents of the company are to begin killing and dressing to--1 morrow. The office staff, who arc members of the Clerical Workers’ Union, decided at a meeting to offer their services in the killing of pigs. It was slated at the meeting that authority for this course was contained in a precedent at the same works some years ago, and that the motion still held good. Instructions issued by the Minister for National Service (the Hon. R, Semple) that they must return to work were ignored by the employees of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd. Slaughtering and other operations were carried out at Hellaby’s works by a team of volunteer workers. In accordance with their decision on Friday Hellaby’s workers held a general meeting in the Trades Hall in Auckland at 9 a.m. to-day, and reviewed the issues in the dispute. Another meeting will be held on Wednesday. At previous meetings the men decided not to resume work until the Auckland Freezing Workers’ Union, of which they are members, was recognised as the sole union at their place of employment. That decision was reached after the management at Hellaby’s works had refused the union delegates permission to approach the women in the cannery department. An official of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd., said that more than 100 men, some of them skilled, had come from various parts of the country as an act of loyally and were carrying on operations. The cannery had ample supplies for the next few days’ output, and the daily output of Army rpeat was now assured.