Strikers return to spare stock

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32460, 21 November 1970, Page 1

Strikers return to spare stock

(Neto Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, November 20.

Striking workers at the Auckland abattoir returned to work today to save any suffering being caused to stock held at the abattoir without feed.

Their dispute, over a dismissal of a worker, is unsettled but the 180 men met and decided that they would slaughter the 3500 head of lambs, sheep, pigs and cattle being held. The decision was prompted by a telegram from the Auckland branch of the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals, to the pre-

sident of the freezing workers’ union (Mr F. E. Barnard). An inspector for the society (Mr T. Patterson), said that some of the animals, particularly young lambs, were suffering from lack of feed. Killing at the abattoir stopped on Wednesday because the men alleged that a worker had been victimised by his dismissal; this was denied by the management. The dispute will be heard by the District Conciliation Commissioner (Mr G. Watnall), on Thursday. . The abattoir manager (Mr R. S. Graham), said today that the killing of the stock would be completed by about Tuesday afternoon and until he heard whether the man would continue normal work, no more stock would be brought in.