Auckland Abattoir Strike Settled '

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1948, Page 6

Auckland Abattoir Strike Settled '

AUCKLAND, Fri. (P.A.)-The strike of 60 municipal abattoir workers, which began yesterday, was called off this morning, following a meeting of the union and management representatives and the Conciliation Commissioner.

The men’s claim for a minimum weekly wage for “slaughtermen learners” was not unheld by the commissioner.

His ruling is that learner slaughtermen will be classed as slaughtermen, but be paid labourers’ rates at approximately 33 hours at 3/7 an hour, or a weekly wage of £5/18/- for time worked on slaughtering. CLAIM NOT UPHELD The union claimed that trainees should work the same hours as slaughtermen and receive a minimum of £6/16/- weekly. Both parties have the right of appeal. The dispute at the abattoir arose over the status of three men who, although engaged as labourers, had been under training for several days to become slaughtermen. It was stated at the Town I-lall that it had been a longstanding practice to take the best of the labourers and give them the opportunity to train under the guidance of experienced slaughtermen.

While they were not actually engaged on slaughtering work, they were expected to return to their normal duties as labourers. The abattoir staff decided on strike action after a ballot yesterday.