EMPLOYERS’ REACTION

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28783, 2 January 1959, Page 8

EMPLOYERS’ REACTION

“Determined To Resist Demands”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 1. Mr L. J. Rundle, president of the Dairy Factories employers’ association in a statement issued today said:

‘‘The directive issued by the Dairy Factory Workers’ Union, ordering its members to go on strike next week, is a calculated act of industrial lawlessness and has the ingredients that could lead to a return of those conditions which applied some years ago.

“The president of the union, Mr A. Whowell, during the compulsory conference last Tuesday, referred to his participation in the 1951 waterfront strike, and in forthright terms announced his intention to obtain the union’s demands through economic pressure and strike action.

“The present position is the culmination of many threats over several years when the union has frequently held the dairy industry to ransom.

“Even though award negotiations since 1950 have been conducted under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, the union has many times stated that if agreement could not be reached, they would not let the Arbitration Court settle the issues, but would have them settled by their own methods. “Apart from the heavy economic loss that will inevitably occur if this strike proceeds, the most serious aspect is the reemergence in this country of an element which is determined to throw overboard the norma] constitutional procedures, and openly advocates strike action to force its demands “Misleading Propaganda’* “For a number of months, the workers have been indulging in propaganda leading up to the present dispute. This propaganda has been misleading and very inaccurate and harps on the statement that the dairy factory workers' basic wage is £9 15s 4d per week. “This is entirely incorrect. “The lowest rate in the current award, which was only negotiated last July and does not expire till February 28 next, is £ll 10s 6d—£9 15s 4d plus 18 per cent. “But, due to the nature of the industry and the generous award provisions, the average earnings of the lowest paid men are in the vicinity of £l6 to £l7 per week and a large proportion of the men receive considerably more.

“For the hours worked, and for the type of work performed, these earnings compare more than favourably with most industries which have a high percentage of unskilled workers.

“In addition, large numbers of men enjoy excellent housing provided by the employers at very low rentals which generally range between £1 and £1 10s per week. Attitude At Conference

“The union repeatedly told the employers during the compulsory conference that they had no intention of complying with the normal constitutional procedure to negotiate a new award, and intended to pursue strike tactics to achieve their demands which, if granted, would cost the industry in the vicinity of £1 million a year.

“On many occasions, the employers have told the union that they are prepared to negotiate the issues in dispute if the union will file its claims and proceed under the provisions of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

“However, knowing this union's past and present methods, the employers are determined not to be stampeded into granting the union’s demands under strike threat and so encourage industrial anarchy returning to this country.”