Threat to start of killing season

Press, 13 July 1976, Page 3

Threat to start of killing season

PA Wellington Immediate industrial retaliation, and withdrawal of labour when the next meat export season starts, are threats to the freezing industry after a deadlock last week prevented. award negotiations. The national secretary of the Meat Workers’ Union (Mr Frank McNulty) said yesterday that a serious sit- . uation had ’“erupted,” anc had already been considered by the union's national action committee. “There is a distinct probability of action, and if ths situation is not corrected ir the meantime there could b< no start to next season': killing.” he said. Mr McNulty said that foi a day and a half last weel the union and Freezing Com panies Association assessor: had met, but had failed t< achieve a satisfactory for mula for the establishmen of a conciliation council. “'The employers also re

fused to discuss outstanding ! problems of the industry ■ outside conciliation. Many o these are matters whicl “have been held in abeyanci 1 for a long time — issue: ■such as the hygiene regu I lations, experimental worl ' inside freezing companies redundancy changes in volving the replacement o ! workers, and points arisin; i out of the inquiry into mut ton slaughtermen’s rates which' the employers earlie | had agreed could be dis ■cussed separately. “We could not find a ! acceptable basis for thes : talks, and consequently ther is now a total deadlock. It i my opinon that the positio ■has deteriorated furthr ; since last week,” M McNulty said. The union's right of witl i drawal in a stalemate ws • ■the issue which had pri i vented the parties froi .entering conciliation, f said. • ; “The employers insiste

on a formula which would prevent the union from doing this, a right which is j held by 99 per cent of trade; runions in the country. : “There is enough legislation existing and pending :, limiting the right of workers ,'to free negotiations, and we! • jare opposed to any further! N restrictions,” Mr McNulty j ; said. ■; The executive director of • .the Freezing Companies’ •! Association (Mr Peter •| Blomfield) said the associ- ! ation was considering the t threats by the union, which, e if carried out, could affect = everyone in the meat ins dustry. 1 Mr Blomfield said that last r week’s talks were in an atr: tempt to remove a union ;ban on experimental work - relating to mutton chains. si “The union has linked this - ban with conciliation. Sevn era! propositions were put e,to the union at the meeting. land all were rejected,” Mr d I Blomfield said.