WORK CEASED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1937, Page 25

WORK CEASED

FREEZING EMPLOYEES

VICTIMISATION ALLEGED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, November 2.

Until thfi company consents to re-en-gage a man who, it is alleged, has been refused employment on account of his union, activities last year, 100 men engaged at the King's Wharf works of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited, have ceased work. After protracted discussions throughout this afternoon, a small majority of the men concerned in the dispute decided on this action at a meeting tonight. However, it is regarded as a sectional rather than a union question, and no other freezing works are affected.

Representatives of the men made It clear that their decision was based on the belief that-a member of the union had been subjected to victimisation. It was explained that the worker in question had been a union delegate last year and in the preceding three years had been a regular employee of the company. When work became slack last year, he, with others, had been dismissed, but when business again increased he was not re-employwl. ilt was considered that a firm stand should be taken, as it was believed that other delegates /who were appointed might be liable to the same fate. It is understood that the' man whose cause the employees have taken up made endeavours to see the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, but without success.. ,■'

The motion to cease work was carried, it is understood, by 45 votes to 38.

A categorical denial of the allegation of .victimisation was given by Mr. A. G. Brown, general manager of the.company. He said the man concerned was not a regular employee and had been given work only at intervals. He had been dismissed simply because hands were being reduced,- and the fact that he was a union delegate had no bearing on the matter. The company realised the men must have officials connected with their unions,! and it had no objection to any employee acting in this capacity.

Mr. Brown stated that he had informed the men when they decided to cease work that their wages would be available tomorrow morning and the company was taking steps to engage other men in their places. "They have not been dismissed. They have simply given up their jobs," he addec!. •

, Owing to the cessation of work about fifty trucks of butter were left unloaded and, instead of being placed in the freezing chambers, they were left in wagons, either within the works or in the railway yards.