SLAUGHTERMEN RESIGN

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27920, 17 March 1956, Page 8

SLAUGHTERMEN RESIGN

BURNSIDE FREEZING WORKS IDLE

FARMERS “PUT IN TIGHT SPOT ” (New Zealana Press Association) DUNEDIN, March 16. All slaughtermen employed by the New Zealand Refrigerating Company. Ltd., at its Burnside works have resigned. The resignations began on Thursday afternoon and continued at 15-minute intervals today,’ until killing ceased at the works. Between 80 and 90 slaughtermen asked for their pay and handed in their gear. Mr K. Clark, the manager, said that, according to the union, the resignations were the individual decisions of the men.

The resignations will seriously hamper farmers planning to kill old ewes this autumn, unless sufficient men respond to the company’s appea. lor competent labour. Discussions between the employers and the union have been in progress since February 14. Until yesterday they were thought to have been successful.

But yesterday afternoon six men asked for their pay, and no work, was done at the works. This morning six more resigned at the start of work, and at 15-minute intervals throughout the day. three or four men called for their pay.

Mr Clark said the logjeal deduction from the resignations was that the men had obtained other employment His com cany hoped, however, that some of the men would return as a result of advertising. “Now that the men have resigned, the discussions which have been mainly between the slaughtermen and the company will stop,” said Mr Clark. “As there is nobody left to carry on the discussions, the resignations have left the union up in the air. “The resignations have put the farming community in a tight spot.” said Mr Clark. “They want everything possible killed at this time of the year. Old ewes should be killed now to freshen pastures for new stock.” Farmers had been warned not to send stock to the works, said Mr Clark. Employees other than slaughtermen were still on the paysheet, and their attitude towards the resignations would depend on the company's decision about replacements. As long as the company did not employ “free” labour, they would remain in their jobs. The company was asking only lor competent slaughtermen. Mr Clark said the union would hold its annual meeting on Monday. The company had communicated with the Labour Department and the Minister of Agriculture (Mr K. J. Holyoake).