NELSON ABATTOIRS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 16 November 1937, Page 7

NELSON ABATTOIRS

-To Tim Edjtor 1 Sir.—Kinc.ly allow me to reply to Mr G. W. Mitchell’s comment in his teport as Abattoirs Manager for the Nelson City Abattoirs. In this report he is reported to have stated as follows;—“Under the present award the slaughtermen are entitled to treble rates of pay which amounts to 6s 6d per hour, which in my opinion is iniquitous. The work here is just as essential as tlie work at either the gasworks or the celctric power house, for which the employees are paid at the rate of time and a-half. I would suggest that the council approach the Minister again regarding tlie matter and explain the position so that all the employees are paid on the same basis.” "I would just like Mr Mitchell to explain as to how he wants the Minister of Labour approached. If he wants the present award altered to give the

Abattoir employees what they .should be getting under the Arbitration Court’s pronouncement as skilled workers, which is 2s 9d per hour, not 2s 2d as Mr Mitchell slates they are now getting, then I am sure the Union will apply to have this done al once. Mr Mitchell states that in his opinion a proper overtime rate is iniquitous. This is quite all right coming from a man who does not work overtime, but surely if the thing is so iniquitous and Mr Mitchell is 1 slaughterman then he could assist the funds of the City Council (if they