SYDNEY BUTCHERS' STRIKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 16 February 1914, Page 5

SYDNEY BUTCHERS' STRIKE

EMPLOYERS MAKE ANOTHER OFFER.

SHOPS TO BE RE-OPENED

SYDNEY, Feb. 15,

The meat employers' committee, adopted a resolution that in the event of the men returning to work forthwith in accordance with the existing award and conditions in force on February 4th, and the employees wishing to apply to the Wages Board for .a variation of the award, the employers will not oppose such application, .but do everything in their power to expedite the Board's arrival at a decision; and that if the men accept this offer the carcase butchers resume operations to-morrow, and the agents give notice of the resumption of the sales on Tuesday.

These resolutions were submitted to Mr Est-ell, who placed them before the committee representing the employees. This committee claimed to have no authority to accept or reject arty proposals, coming from the masters, but it will place the offer made before a mass meeting on Monday night. Mr Estell gave the men to understand that the Department will pake no further action with regard to.enforcing awards until a satisfactory solution is arrived at. At Mr. Estell's request the employers decided to resume slaughtering operations to-morrow. Plenty of meat will, therefore, be available, and the public retailers' shops will be thrown open as an invitation to the men to resume work, .but no more is anticipated until after the ir.ass meeting. The secretary of the masters' association said the employers would welcome any compulsory conference or properly constituted tribunal presided over by Judge Heydon, as they consider they would receive fair treatment from such a body.