FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 54, 27 November 1926, Page 10

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

ATTITUDE OF THE COMPANIES PROPOSE TO ABIDE BY COURTS AWARD Following the conference of freezing works representatives and farmers organisations, held in Wellington on 1 liursday to discuss the deadlock that ' has arisen in the freezing industry, the loilowmg letter was dispatched by the chairman (Mr. J. Milne) on behalf of the freezing companies of New Zealand, to Mr. H. C. Revell, secretary to the New Zealand Freezing Works and Related Trades Industrial Association of Workers:— “At several freezing works in the North Island, slaughtermen and others have failed to respond to the call for work. We can only assume that this course of action is due to the freezing companies having refused to consider an increase of 10 per cent, in the rate of wages. “I am authorised on behalf of the freezing companies of New Zealand to inform you that they consider that there are several matters in the existing award that should be amended, including a decrease in the rates of wages in the case of certain classes of labour. Nevertheless we propose to abide faithfully by the Arbitration Court’s award as it stands until a new award is issued. “If, however, your federation is really of opinion that there is any justice in your demand for an increase in wages we are quite willing to join with you in asking the Arbitration Court to cancel the existing award and to issue a new award. "We make this offer with the proviso that the members of your unions shall accept work forthwith, and that all nonunion workers engaged because of lack of other labour shall retain their positions if they so desire.” AUSTRALIANS ADVISED TO STAY AWAY VOLUNTEERS DO WELL AT FEILDING. t> Dominion Special. Feilding, November 26. Information relating to the meeting of unionists last Wednesday night is difficult to obtain, but it seems practically certain that it was not the butchers’ who voted against the strike. Thev stubbornly refused to give ground before the desires of • the labourers, and it was only the greater attendance of the latter that gained the majority. Had not a large number of butchers been absent on shearing work, a different resolution might easily have been passed. A rumour that Australian butchers have been present in Feilding latelyworking up an agitation is denied byunionists. It is stated that there are onlv two Australian butchers at the Feilding work's, and it is understood that the Feilding branch has recommended the union executive to advise Australian unionists not to come over while the present trouble lasts. The volunteer labour at the local works is handling stock in a capable manner and everything is proceeding smoothly and satisfactory. The management are greatly pleased with the progress made, and it is considered that there will be no difficulty in carrying on. VOLUNTEERS SATISFACTORY AT IMLAY At Imlay works yesterday 30 freelabour slaughtermen killed 276 sheep, and to-day the same number of men were expected to put through between 500 and 600. This increase over yesterday’s quota is due to the fact that the men are becoming more proficient as they grow more accustomed to the work. A new system of team work was tried out at the works to-day, one man doing one job with a carcass and when completed passing it on to the next man To perform the same work under ordinary circumstances one man does every operation in preparing sheep for the freezer, but with these unskilled slaughtermen it has been deemed advisable to allot one particular job to each man. So far there has been a conspicuous absence of unionists from the freezing works, and work is proceeding without interruption. Since the commencement of free labour on Monday permanent bands in the manure. oleo, and fellnionaery departments have ceased work, although many expressed reluctance at leaving, the jobs they had held all the winter. FARMERS’ MEETING AT PAHIATUA Dominion Special. Pahiatua, November 26. Under the auspices of the local branch of the Farmers’ Union and the Pahiatua A. find P Association, an important meeting of farmers is to be held to-morrow, to discuss matters arising cut of the freezing works trouble. WAIROA MEN SUPPORT STRIKE BY TELEGRAPH. — I'IIP.SS ASSOCIATION. Wairoa, November 20’. At a fairly representative meeting ol the local Freezing Workers’ Union held last night the members decided by a substantial majority to support thuHawke's Bay men. Consequently it is expected that no unionists will be available locallv when the works open next Wednesday. WORK AT FEILDING PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY Bv TELEGRAPH . Feilding, November 26. Nine butchers were on the board at the Feilding freezing works, and the work is proceeding smoothly. They started to-day on the lambs, and the management is particularly satisfied with the work There is ample voluntary labour offering. It is learned that unionist butchers are against working, while the labourers favour starting. Though the Feilding branch carried a resolution in favour of starting, no move has vet been made by the unionists.