Fitters Strike At S.I. Freezing Works

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 1

Fitters Strike At S.I. Freezing Works

(By Out Industrial Reporter) Fitters in all the main South Island freezing works went on strike yesterday in support of a wage claim of $1.75 an hour.

An early settlement is thought unlikely. As machinery comes up for maintenance, production will stop, and it is expected that much of the South Island’s output will be halted before the week is out.

More seriously, the start of export killing will have to be delayed if the fitters stay on strike for more than a few days. Throughout the country, freezing companies are altering their installations to meet hygiene regulations which come into force on October 1 Much of this work has to be done by fitters. In many plants, a week on strike now will mean a week’s delay to the start of the new export season. The Minister of Labour (Mt Marshall), and the Minjstei of Agriculture (Mr Carter), will discuss the position thi* afternoon with three employ ers’ representatives—the secretary of the New Zealand Freezing Companies’ Union of Employers (Mr J. Murray), and the chairman of the South and North Island Freezing Companies’ Associations (respectively, Messrs J. A. G. Fulton and E. Roberts). Urgent Talks This discussion is likely to be followed by urgent talks between Mr Marshall and representatives of the New Zealand Engineers’ Union, but little progress is expected.

The union's national council—also meeting on the matter in Wellington today—appears to have little control over the freezing works fitters. Its limited influence appears to have been used in vain attempts to keep negotiations open. On Saturday, after the; strike by the Auckland fitters; had closed two freezing works and halved the production of, the others, Mr Murray said; the employers would not! negotiate until all fitters returned to normal work. The rank-and-file answer came yesterday, when Canterbury and Otago joined Auckland and Southland in withholding their labour. The only works in the South Island still being serviced by mem bers of the Engineers’ Union are the two at Nelson and Picton, and these may stop today.

The Canterbury workers de cided on a secret ballot, by 118 votes to six, “that we withdraw our labour until the companies are prepared to negotiate a realistic rate, the

rate to be 81-73 for core tradesmen.” Those attending the meeting included a busload of fitters from Ashburton, Pareora and Smithfield. Wage Rates The present award rate for fitters without trade certificate—the core tradesmen referred to above —is $1.02} About six months ago, when the rate paid in Christchurch industry was about $1.15, the freezing works fitters gained i margin of 27 per cent, giving a basic pay of $1.30}. Christchurch fitters are now paid $1.30 and an award about to be negotiated is expected to increase this to about $1.36. The new award is likely specifically to incorporate the ruling rate, and in this event the freezing companies propose to pay the award rate and no more. The companies’ stand is that the present 27 per cent margin is intended to bring their fitters’ rates into line with those paid in outside industry. The workers’ stand is that they previously held an actual pay margin over other trades-

men and that by reason of the nature of their work their margin should be increased, not eliminated.

More Sought

The main basis for the fitters’ claim is that they maintain equipment for piece workers whose rates, with incentives, are considerably higher than tradesmen’s. The fitter sees the contract worker getting a big piece of the cake, and wants more for himself. This argument ignores the fact that contract workers work hard and fast, while fitters often have to do nothing more strenuous than applying an oil can. In most cases the freezing worker is employed only on a seasonal basis, whereas the fitter has a permanent job and may he in a superannuation scheme. On trade union principles, the freezing workers’ unions have no option but to support the fitters. As machines require maintenance this is oeing given, by salaried staff, and the freezing workers are then refusing to use the machines and are forfeiting their pay.

While this support may be grudging, there is no likelihood of it being withdrawn, and the stage seems set for a prolonged dispute which will benefit none of the par- ■ ties involved.