WORKERS NOT SATISFIED

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 February 1947, Page 8

WORKERS NOT SATISFIED

DELAYS IN COMPLETING AGREEMENT BOROUGH COUNCIL’S POSITION Dissatisfaction at the protracted delay in the completion of the agreement between the Greymouth Borough Council and its employees was voiced last evening at a meeting of members of the local branch of the General Labourers’ Union and abattoir employees, according to a statement made to the Evening Star, this morning, by Mr. J. Arthurs, the union’s national organiser, of Wellington. The, question of the agreement was the -cause of the dispute between the abattoir workers and the council during May and June of last year when The abattoir workers went out on strike, disrupting the supply of meat to local butchers for about two weeks. “Failing an early -settlement,” stated Mr. Arthurs this morning, “further action will be considered.” “Tempers Fraying.” He stated that negotiations which ■had lasted many -months were still being held up by the council and the men’s tempers were becoming frayed at the continued delays. The meeting last evening, said Mr. Arthurs, had endorsed his further approach to the council on the matter. The meeting also considered the alteration of pay-day to Thursday, but a decision was left to a further meeting when all members would be given -an -opportunity of expressing ■their -wishes on the subject. Early Settlement. “There will be a settlement of the agreement within a few days,” said the chairman of the Abattoir Committee of the Borough Council, Cr. G. R. Harker, when Mr. Arthur’s statement was referred to .him this morning. He added that it had taken some time to iron out various clauses of the agreement, but the council had been unable to place the matter before a sitting of the Arbitration Court. _ as thrire had Ween no West. Coast session. “The council decided early this week to have the agreement fixed up this week,” said Cr. Harker, -who added that the agreement involved wage increases, hours and conditions of employment.