Workers Face Suspension

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31754, 10 August 1968, Page 14

Workers Face Suspension

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Aug. 9. Up to 1800 freezing workers face suspension on Monday. Over the last three davs suspensions at the Moerewa works of the Auckland Freezing Cooperative, Ltd, have totalled about 400. Mr L. W. Lane, industrial officer for the co-operative, said tonight that more men would be suspended as became necessary. He agreed that if the Southdown employees did not return to work on Monday almost the whole staff would be suspended. He confirmed that unless both the company’s plants were brought back into production, nearly 1800 men could be suspended. Strikes by 70 fitters have brought production at both works almost to a standstill.

and a strike by 150 boning labourers at the Westfield freezing works was also followed by a mass walk-out.

The Auckland Freezing Workers’ Union would hold meetings at the affected works on Monday morning, the secretray (Mr T. O. Kelly) said today. Southdown Fitters At Southdown 45 fitters have been suspended for strike action over a pay claim, and the freezing workers walked out because they considered it was impossible to work without the fitters. After a works meeting this morning attended by more than 1000 union members, the Southdown staff went home—though a small number remained to complete work. A works meeting is to be held at Southdown on Monday morning. The works there have now completely shut down. Westfield freezing works is similarly affected after the walk-out of about 1500 men on Thursday in support of

the strike by 150 boning labourers.

The men had decided to remain out until a new agreement was negotiated. At Moerewa works, only killing for local requirements is being carried out as a result of a strike by 25 fitters. About 800 employees are affected by the strike. They will attend a meeting on Monday. Normal work is proceeding at the other major Auckland freezing works, W. and R. Hellaby, Ltd, Otahuhu, though there was a short stoppage by chamber hands last week. Minister’s Statement

The statement made by the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) on Thursday that some of the strikes were not supported by the union was denied today by Mr Kelly. The Minister was “obviously misinformed," because he had quoted a non-existent dispute at Hellaby’s, said Mr Kelly.