No Prosecution Against Works

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 20

No Prosecution Against Works

Press Wellington, May 8. The Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) will not prosecute the Longburn freezing works for a lockout. .He. -said this today after meeting a deputation of freezing workers from’ Longburn, led by the president of the Wellington district Freezing Workers’ Union (Mr F. B. Thorn). About 300 freezing workers bearing arrived at

Parliament buildings at midday to protest against the dismissal of 63 butchers and boners from the Longburn works. The dispute began on April 19 when men were dismissed for go-slow tactics which the company alleged had occurred since the end of February, when workers returned to hourly rates rather than a bonus scheme. Asked if the union executive requested him to prosecute the company, Mr Shand said: “The answer is that I do not propose to take a prosecution against the company for a lockout. "The roots of this dispute go back a considerable period

and it is not by any means clear whether a case for a lockout could be established or, for tljat matter, a case against some of the members of the union for being on strike. “It would even be possible that management might be held guilty of a lockout in respect of some of the men concerned and the union, in respect of others, for striking. “It is safe to say that each party holds the other to be primarily at fault” Asked if he saw any prospect of an early settlement, Mr Shand said the difference between what the unions and the management were offering was not very great.