Killing Ceased

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 8

Killing Ceased

“GO-SLOW” ALLEGED AGAINST SLAUGHTERMEN Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 16. Because men working on the slaughtering chain at the Belfast works of Thornes Borthwick and Sons, Australasia. Ltd., adopted “go-slow” tactics, killing operations at the works ceased this morning. The consequence was that carcases arrived at the weighing scale only party dressed, and some actually with the skins left on. Up to 8.45 a.m. 332 carcases went down the chain, 86 arriving at the scale undressed or unskinned. In these circumstances, according to officials of the company, it was impossible to carry on the killing operations, and the men refused to work to normal capacity. The company, therefore, had to cease operations altogether, and turn live stock into the holding paddocks. Conflicting reasons were given by the officers of the Canterbury Freezing Workers’ Union and the South Island Freezing Association for the cessation of operations at the works.

The secretary of the South Island Freezing Association, Mr. C. G. Wilkins, who had discussed the matter with the manager of Borthwicks, Mr. A. C. Wells, said the action of the men was the result of their objecting to the refusal of the company to reinstate the foreman, who was on the permanent salaried staff and who was recently dismissed.

“The company takes the view that it is not accountable either to the Freezing Workers’ Union or to the men employed at the works in regard to any matters between itself and its foremen, who in any case are not subject to the New Zealand Freezmg Workers Award,” said Mr. Wilkins. “Even if they were, the management clause in the award conserves the rights of employers to manage and control their own business, and in respect to hiring, conduct, duties and dismissal of persons in their employment. The immediate consequence was that Borthwicks were unable to operate at the Addington market to-day.”

Mr. Wilkins added that the following notice had been posted up at the works: —

“Notice is hereby given that the wages due to all men employed on the chain will be paid at the works office immediately. The foreman will reengage men on Thursday morning at 7.45.”

The secretary of the Canterbury Freezing Workers’ Union, Mr. H. G. Kilpatrick, said that the company had stopped the chains from working because they were not functioning normally. In one instance, a legger was missing from the chain. Similar disorganisation occurred later in another chain through a man becoming injured, and in both instances the company would not engage other men to £ll the gapr-

MEN ALLEGE VICTIMISATION OF UNION OFFICIALS

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 17.

TKe freezing dispute at Borthwick’s Belfast works continues, a deadlockj being reached when union delegates met the company representatives yesterday morning. The only thing they could get was a definite and unmistakeable statement of the intention to victimise two union delegates, said Mr rl. G. Kilpatrick, secretary of the union, to-day. One of two men was branch secretary, while the other was the men’s delegate on tn** chain. At the conclusion of the conference the company posted a notice on the wall dismissing all chain workers, and stating that labour would be reengaged to-day. As a result of an unanimous resolution by the workers the two men concerned were the first to offer themselves for work. They were turned down by the foreman, who said that there was no work for them. The men on the chain unanimously decided that they would not offer themselves for work till the two union officials were re-angaged. Messrs M. J. Reardon. Conciliation Commissioner, and R. T. Bailey, officer in charge of the Labour Department, discussed the position with representatives of the men and later with the company representatives this morning. Both sides remained adamant. Mr Kilpatrick pointed out that the pig and beef workers had been instructed by the union to continue killing operations and no further steps would be taken by the union till the comoanv endeavoured to widen the issues