REASONS FOR DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 5, 7 January 1944, Page 3

REASONS FOR DISPUTE

P.A CHRISTCHURCH, January 6. Mr S. A. Miller, president of the branch union, stated that work had ceased because the slaughtermen claimed that one of their number, a union official, had been victimised. The man had been ordered by the National Service Department m Wellington to leave camp at Trentham and to report to Christchurch for duty at the freezing works. The manager of the company, Mr. N. S. Wyber, had said he would oppose this direction, stating no reasons. Later, in answer to union officials, he said he had no job available. "This man is an experienced' chain slaughterman and inexperienced learners have since been engaged on the chain and may possibly lower the men's earnings," said Mr. Miller. "The men object to new hands being put on when experienced men are available, and claim that this man has been refused a start because of his union activities." Commenting on Mr. Miller's statement, the manager of the company, Mr. Wyber, said the man referred to had not been directed to the works by the man-power authorities. The company did not require his services, as it had experienced men doing his particular job.