DISPUTE AT FREEZING WORKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 29 November 1938, Page 4

DISPUTE AT FREEZING WORKS

MEN STILL IDLE 'UriitAU Preea Association. AUCKLAND, 28th November The action of the men who ceased work at the Westfield Freezing Works as a protest against the Court of Arbitration’s interpretation of a clause in their awary relating to the manning of mechanical appliances for handling stock during slaughtering and dressing, left the management with several thousands of lambs, sheep, cattle and pigs on hand as arrangements had been made for a full day’s killing. Staff hands and others employed about the works on building alterations and construction remained at work, but the management had no means of disposing of the stock, and because of the uncertainty of the position the freighting of stock for killing to-morrow was cancelled. One of the most serious reprecussions is the interruption in killing for chilled beef due to be loaded in the Port Townsville, which is scheduled to sail on Saturday. The management said that even if killing was resumed at the earliest possible moment the works would be unable to fill the space which had been reserved in the ship. At the suggestion of the Minister of Labour, Mr Armstrong, members of the Auckland Trades Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour endeavoured this afternoon to open negotions with representatives of the j Freezing Workers’ Union at the West- I field works. Mr H. Campbell, secretary of the council, and Mr F. Craig, i a member of the executive, visited the works, but they were then unable to get in touch with the acting-secretary of the union or members of the executive. The secretary of the union, Mr W. E. Sill, is ill. So far no conference has been arranged with the employers by the union or by the federation on its behalf.