Abattoir uncertainty

Press, 8 September 1976, Page 1

Abattoir uncertainty

Slaughtermen who went on strike at the Christchurch abattoir in protest against their suspension during the drivers’ strike will probably return to work today. The 130 workers will meet at 8 a.m. A recommendation will probably be put that they return to work, according to the president of the Canterbury branch of the Meat Workers’ Union (Mr Jack Scott). The stock sale at Addington will be held today,

the first time for a fortnight — last week’s sale was stopped by the drivers’ strike. However, stock and station agents are said to have been discouraging farmers from sending in fat cattle suitable for the meat trade because of uncertainty about any killing at the abattoir. The market is being held mainly because it is believed that a substantial number of store cattle will be offered. Buyers for the meat trade will be in a difficult

position unless they can be certain that killing will resume at the abattoir, which supplies 75 per cent of Christchurch’s meat. However, some stock is already at the abattoir, and could be killed today as the animals have been standing the required 24 hours. The meat could be in the butchers’ shops this afternoon if all goes well. In the meantime, butchers are still getting supplies of meat from out of Christchurch and plenty of uxeat is available to the public.