FREEZING WORKS HOLD-UP

Evening Star, Issue 23129, 1 December 1938, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS HOLD-UP

SECRET BALLOT DECIDED ON MASS MEETING VOTES ONLY COERCION [Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 30. A decision to hold a secret ballot to determine whether they would resume work was reached at a meeting to-day of Westfield freezing works employees, who have been on strike since Monday as a protest against the Arbitration Court’s interpretation of a clause in their agreement. The ballot is to be held to-morrow. When the workers assembled at the works at 8 a.m. to-day, union officials reported the . result of the conference held the previous day with the management of the works. A discussion developed as to what further action should be taken in consequence of the failure of the parties to reach an agreement. Suggestions that a secret ballot should be taken were opposed by union officials, according to statements made by several workers. They stated that arguments had been advanced in opposition to the proposal until it was pointed out that, under the union’s rules, it was competent for a ballot to be taken when this action was desired by a defined number of members. Some disappointment was expressed that the ballot was not taken forthwith at the works instead of waiting foi another 24. hours. That many of the men had entertained hopes of work being resumed to-day was indicated by the number arriving with lunch bags and cases. There was fairly general satisfaction with the decision to hold a ballot as a means of ascertaining the real majority opinion. “ While it is true that comparatively few workers have openly opposed the decision to strike, votes at mass meetings do not show the real opinions of the majority,” stated one of the men. He said that the method of mass voting was a form of coercion that was difficult to combat. The workers were swayed not by feelings of loyalty or sympathy, but by reluctance to be the butt of their fellows when they went against the delegates’ recommendations. Another-worker said that the rank and file were dissatisfied with the handling of their affairs. “ Unless something is done to stop those pinpricking strikes a move will be made to break away from the union,” stated the man, who said he had nothing at stake in the dispute. He said that a suggestion to establish another union for labourers and other workers not concerned with the slaughtermen’s disputes was being openly canvassed. Developments would depend largely on the result of the ballot. During the forenoon the management organised a team of men from their works and outdoor staff to kill and dress 1200 fat lambs that have been at the works since Monday. The company’s country buyers from various parts of the province, the works and office permanent staffs, and a number of clerical workers from the firm’s Hamilton office were organised into gangs for handling the lambs and loading out the remainder of the chilled beef for shipment by boat on Saturday. Killing was commenced shortly before noon, and continued until the normal hour of shutting down in the evening. Good progress was made, in spite of the fact that the work was foreign to the experience of many of the men engaged. A gang of about 60 manned part of the ring system which is the basis of the dispute. ... The balance of the stock m hand and a few loads of pigs which arrived from the country will be handled to-morrow.