Works pay claims first after 'freeze'

Press, Issue 33842, 14 May 1975, Page 18

Works pay claims first after 'freeze'

Many claims will be discussed when the freezing industry award talks resume at Auckland on June 4. The talks were set down for May 20, but they have been delayed to comply with the four-week pause in wage negotiations requested by the Government.

The talks will be the first after the “freeze.”

The national secretary of the Meat Workers’ Union (Mr F. E. McNulty) said yesterday that claims had been put forward by both the union and employers.

Problems associated with marketing, hygiene regulations such as working temperatures for freezing chamber hands, and changes in the Holidays Act, would be given particular attention, Mr McNulty said. “Amalgamation of companies and departments is affecting employment of people in the industry and a redundancy clause will be negotiated,” he said. This would be given priority. The long-standing claim for a travelling allowance would also be negotiated. Mr McNulty said the union also wanted a recreational area for men during their lunch breaks, where they

could go to participate in some form of education, lectures, . and relaxation. Domestic leave, facilities for women and maternity leave, will be sought, too.

The talks are set down to be held over three days, but Mr McNulty said that sometimes they had taken up to 20 days.