DECLARED BLACK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22289, 26 March 1947, Page 6

DECLARED BLACK

WORKS WORKERS TO DISPERSE CANTERBURY STRIKE MOVE (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 25. A development last night in the freezing works strike in Canterbury was the declaration of the North Canterbury works "black” by workers and their resolve to disperse to other employment until the dispute is settled. The effect of the decision is that as from to-day every member of the Freezing Workers' Union, including firemen'' and watchmen, will be withdrawn from the works at Kaiapoi, Belfast and Islington. Ashburton and Timaru

"There is no doubt that members at a meeting to be held to-day at Ashburton and Timaru will fall into line with the policy adopted by the Christchurch members,” said the secretary of the union, Mr, H. G. Kilpatrick. “The union's black declaration affects all other unionists.”

A meeting of the Canterbury Trades Council of the Federation of Labour has been called tor Friday evening.

Maintenance men who are members of other unions are not so far involved, nor are men employed by building contractors for the freezing companies, so long as they continue their normal occupations. Between 750 and 800 North Canterbury members attended a meeting in the Civic Theatre last night. The president of the union, Mr. T. W. Russell, presided. The motion was carried by an overwhelming majority, only 68 votes being cast against. The motion was:— Endorsement of Action ‘‘That this meeting of North Canterbury freezing workers endorses the withdrawal of all union labour from all freezing works in Canterbury and declares the works black until such time as a satisfactory settlement of the present dispute is obtained. “Further, that all union members disperse to other employment until such time as the dispute is settled.” An amendment, which was defeated, was:

"That we wholeheartedly support the demand of the union for an increased minimum wage, but recommend the executive to accept the offer of the Minister of Labour to set up a tribunal.”