KILLERS' DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 46, 24 February 1913, Page 8

KILLERS' DISPUTE

UNIONISTS OUT OF THE GEAR wop.ks. Twenty-two slaughtermen— members of the federation — were put off at the Gear Works at Petone on Saturday. Nineteen were told to go and get their pay. and four others left also. It is alleged by the company that thcee men were capable of doing twelve sheep an hour, and were only slaughtering six. It is stated that the foreman butcher informed these particular men that 9G a day was expected of them, and when it was found that they were going at half speed (some 24 for the half day) they received marching orders as mentioned. J The federation secretary (Mr. M. J. j Reardon) etatee that even though <ihe men wero doing only six an hour, they wcto still making better tallies than the "free" j labourers. It is fully anticipated in union circles that the slaughtermen in all the other sheds in the North Island will be dealt with as at Petone. Questioned on the possibility, Mr. Reardon said to-day : "It will mean that our fellows will be j more decided than ever on standing firm for their demands. They will grin and bear it. The business at the Gear works on Saturday will only tend to set j the men's teeth on edge. In fact, we are i better pleased with the new position, as we have now had an insight into the working of the "free" labourers. The North Island is solid, and the idea of the '' Canterbury slaughtermen to accept the 27s Gd has been abandoned." In conversation with several killers who had been in and out at Petone, a Post representative was informed that, with a few exceptions, the new slaughtermen are not making a «very brave show, to put ifc modestly. There are a few quito capable, but the majority, according to information received, are still striving to qualify. "To all appearances the companies a-re getting over their difficulties very well indeed, but it is to 6 early yet to shout,'' says the current issue of the Farmers' Union "Advocate. "Tho trouble will not bo over until at least a portion of the regular slaughtermen go back to work. It is, however, very gratifying to know that the losses to the farmers are being minimised by the employment of free labour, and aleo that the unions are exercising an exemplary restraint in the attitude towards the new slaughtermen, and for this we gladly give them due credit. Nevertheless, wo think those who are responsible leaders are exhibiting an extreme lack of common sense in allowing so much valuable time to be wasted. . . The Federation has blundered, in the opinion of most workers, atid tho beet thing it can do is sanction a return to work at the in- j creased price offered by the companies." |