WORK STOPPED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24134, 28 November 1941, Page 6

WORK STOPPED

BOXMAKERS' ACTION TROUBLE AT WESTFIELD DEMAND FOR HIGHER PAY Thirty men employed in /the boxmaking department and timber yard of the Westfield freezing works ceased work yesterday who 11 tlieir demand for an increase in wages was not conceded by the management. The men sought to obtain an extra 3d an hour, and when early negotiations broke down they stopped s work at noon, and were idle for the remainder of the day. The men are paid uuder the timber workers' award, and the secretary of the union, Mr. F. Craig, and an officer of the Labour Department took part in the negotiations, which were continued until well into the afternoon, but without any agreement being reached. It is expected that the position, which is now in the hands of the Labour Department, will be further considered this morning. The management in a statement yesterday said that the men ceased work at 10 a.m. and presented their demands. The firm offered a partial increase in wages, but this was not acceptable to the men, who, however, resumed work at 1L a.m., while conversations proceeded. No settlement having been reached by noon, the men refused to continue work in the afternoon. The management stated that the action of the men would hold up the manufacture of boxes required in connection with the canning of meat under Government orders, and the casing of certain frozen products.