VICTIMISATION ALLEGED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29222, 4 June 1960, Page 12

VICTIMISATION ALLEGED

Bumside Union’s

Charge

(New Zealand Press Association) ( DUNEDIN, June 3.

Allegations of victimisation at Burnside freezing works were denied by the manager (Mr K. Clark) tonight.

This afternoon a meeting of workers who went on strike last Thursday decided to approach the company, asking for a tribunal with an independent chairman. According to the union’s secretary (Miss M. J. Hill) the company “flatly refused to do this.” Miss Hill said the company had departed from the conditions and the procedure laid down in the award for the dismissal of men as the season tapered off. “It has also ignored every right the men had concerning seniority, she said. “The union is not challenging the company’s right to hire and fire. All employers have this right in law. The union merely maintains this must be done in terms of the award,” she said. Asked if the union was alleging victimisation at the works. Miss Hill said: “That is more or less the position.” Commenting on this later, Mr Clark said: “If they think we are victimising, then they have their remedy. Nothing would please the company more than to do things in terms of the award.”