MEAT FREEZING WORKS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25136, 18 March 1947, Page 6

MEAT FREEZING WORKS

General Shortage Of Labour DRIFT TO OTHER EMPLOYMENTS The inrush of stock has aggravated the labour shortagai? in Canterbury freezing works, which are having difficulty in manning all department*. Eveh on the chains there have been shortages. The turnover of manpower has been causing concern to the companies, a general flow of men through some departments having been recorded throughout the season. The assistance of the Canterbury Freezing Works and Related Trades Unioirin retaining labour at the works has been sought; but the secretary (Mr H. G. Kilpatrick) said yesterday that no union could exert pressure on its members to remain in their jobs. The meai had perfect freedom of contracts All the union could do was to take up the case with the companies for its men for conditions which would retain them in the industry. “Considerable difficulty has certainly been experienced this year in keeping an adequate supply of labour in the freezing industry in Canterbury,” Mr Kilpatrick said. “With the lateness the season and the consequent short time worked the guaranteed net wage of £5 8s a week, without paying for bus, tram, and train fares, has proved totally insufficient to retain workers in the industry, -when much better wages can be obtained elsewhere.”