RUBBER FACTORY DISPUTE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28129, 19 November 1956, Page 2

RUBBER FACTORY DISPUTE

OBJECTION TO PRICES IN CAFETERIA

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF WORKERS

“A dispute is developing at the Dunlop Rubber Company’s factory at Woolston between the cafeteria committee, representing the 200-odd workers employed in the factory, and the management,” said Mr E. Corliss, chairman of the cafeteria committee and Mr A. B. Grant, secretary of the Christchurch Rubber Workers’ Union in a joiqt statement. “After the Arbitration Court’s recent wage order, which increased the Court’s previous wage increase from 13 per cent, to 18 per cent., the management is endeavouring to recoup its added costs by increasing the prices of food supplied in the cafeteria,” the statement said. As from Monday the firm proposes to increase the price of fresh sandwiches in the morning by 33 1-3 per cent., and the price oi the surplus of sandwiches in the afternoon by 100 per cent. The midday meal supplied the workers will also be increased by 33 1-3 pei cent, in price. "We have investigated the cost of supplying sandwiches to factories and cafeterias by a businessman who makes his living, his profits and his costs by such supplies, and we find that the cost of this man’s production is one-third cheaper than the propposed prices of the cafeteria. “The Dunlop workers are considering holding a stop-work meeting t. discuss the matter and the possibility of the cafeteria being declared black, because the additional charge made against the workers means an additional cost to them of approximately £BOO a year.” says the statement.