WORKERS WALK OUT AT BACON FACTORY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 16

WORKERS WALK OUT AT BACON FACTORY

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Sept. 9,

Two hundred workers—nearly all the staff—walked out of Peach Products, Ltd., at Otahuhu, today after a worker was questioned by the management over an alleged theft

In spite of a directive from the Butchers’ Union, and a plea from the questioned woman to go back to work, men and women decided to stay out

Those involved are employed on the production line of the factory .which handles bacon and small-goods for the Hellaby group of companies. Tonight the management did not know when the work would be resumed.

A company official said: "We did question a person leaving the factory on Thursday night: a perfectly satisfactory explanation was given and accepted, and no further action was taken.” He believed the workers had decided to take time off as a form of protest if a Person was questioned or searched. “We understand there is no issue with the person questioned,” he said.

‘This is an unofficial stoppage as far as we are concerned.”

Only a skeleton staff was at the factory today. Miss E. M. Allan, secretary of the Auckland Butchers' Union, said: “T prefer to make no comment.”