No Longburn solution

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33777, 25 February 1975, Page 3

No Longburn solution

(N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 24. A meeting today between the Meatworkers’ Union and the Co-operative Wholesale Society brought no change in the situation affecting 90 employees of the Longburn freezing works, said Mr G. Trower, New Zealand general manager of the company, tonight. The workers employed in the works’ beef boning-room were dismissed a week ago after they rejected a proposed work rate. Mr Trower said the union still demanded certain conditions and payments above other agreements in the country. “To concede to their demands would have farreaching results, including a tremendous increase in costs to other freezing companies,” he said.

Many of the points at variance were covered by the freezing workers’ collective agreement and, if necessary, should properly be reconsidered at that level, he said.

Petrol price.— The Government’s decision on a rise in the price of petrol had been delayed to allow a detailed study of the figures supplied by oil companies, said the Acting Prime Minister (Mr Tizard) yesterday. The Government was now “very close” to a decision, he said. —(P.A.)