A DEADLOCK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18575, 30 November 1920, Page 5

A DEADLOCK.

MEAT FREEZING INDUSTRY- ~ COMPANIES AND WORKERS. [Per Pbesb Association.! WELLINGTON, November 29. The following statement was made toi%ht on behalf of the meat freezing-; cotnpanies:— "■■,.'. The dispute between the workers em-, ployed in the freezing industry and the oompanies, arising out of the question of increases in rates of pay to meet the increased cost of living, has now reached a stage when a deadlock seems., inevitable- The award under which the; industry is working came into force, so far aa rates of pay concerned, on April 7, 1919, and has currency till. August 31, 1921. During last season a general increase was requested by th» executive of the federation and the companies granted an addition to award , rates of 7£ per cent to pieceworkers and 10 per °eent to hourly and weekly men.-. This was accepted and work was carried on for the remainder of the Beason on these conditions. The subject wasagain discussed on October 27, when representatives of the freezing companies and the federation _ met in couterecenoe, and the companies offered to Increase the bonus to the full extent of the percentage increase from April, 1919 to August 1920, as shown by the ■ Government Statistician's figures as: to the increase in the cost of living for the period in question, viz., 30.97 per cent. As a matter of fact the offer isr somewhat in excess of this figure, being 20 per cent on piecework rates and S2ts per cent on hourly and weekly rates. The companies further offered to review this bonus in February and May next on the basis of the publishedfigures then available. was refused by the union officials, who' stated that it had been submitted to th».. various districts and declined. Subsequently a further conference of freezing companies was held on November 24/. when it was unanimously resolved that the companies could not further in--crease the amount of bonus offered, although they were prepared to malse it a fixed rate for the remaining period o#the award, instead of reviewing th« position in February and May next, as suggested in the original offer. The conference set up a committee to deal with, the matter on these lines and noti-. Red the secretary of the federation, who has now replied that his committee cannot agree to meet the committee of the associated freezing companies, aatho basis of the arrangement is not wide enough. . ... ;-_

POSITION IN HAWKE'S BAT-. [Per Pbess Association.] HASTINGS, November 29. At a meeting of the Hawke's Bay Freezing Works employees on Baturdaj! afternoon, it was resolved to adhere tov the demands made regarding bonuses, and to picket the works peacefully today, so as to inform the men coming from the country of the position from the union's viewpoint. The Pakipaki, Tomoana and Wbakatn works did net commence slaughtering to-day, as intended.