FREEZING WORKERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 14

FREEZING WORKERS.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND

A STRIKE PROBABLE. EXPORT WORK REFUSED. (Special to Dails Times.) AUCKLAND, November 19. The trouble that arose in the Hawke’s Bay district at the opening of the new killing season between the slaughtermen and the freezing companies, and led to the companies employing free labour in the works, is likely to spread to Auckland. Some effect of it has already been felt. Work on export stock was offered to the slaughtermen at the Westfield Freezing Company’s works this morning, the men having been notified beforehand, but no response was forthcoming. Subsequently a statement was issued by representatives of the Westfield Freezing Company and the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company that it was evident that the slaughtermen *who usually handled stock at the two local freezing works intended to fall into line with the slaughtermen in Hawke’s Bay who had refused to deal with export stock at the beginning of the new season. In the circumstances the local companies would be compelled to take steps to provide other labour for the treatment of the export stock now beginning to be available, which must be treated when ready. The statement concluded with the remark that it was in the interests of all sections of the community that no further setback in the export trade of the Dominion be allowed. The refusal of the men to start work is the outcome of a meeting held a few days ago of members of the local Slaughtermen’s Union when the freezing workers’ dispute in Hawke’s Bay was considered. It was then decided to abide by any instructions issued by the Freez ing Workers’ Federation or by the Alliance of Labour. The fact is that instructions have' been issued, and their nature can be gauged by the action of the men in refusing to start work. The local freezing companies have no desire to precipitate a crisis in the industry, and it is understood that no definite action will be taken by them to engage free labour until the influx of stock renders the position acute. At present the quantity of export stock is not great, and operations at the works for the now season can be deferred to allow further negotiations between the parties to be entered into. The serious nature of the position is indicated by the fact that, in the event of trouble developing and a strike being declared, more than 300 men at present engaged in the industry in Auckland district would be involved. Later on this number would bo swelled to approximately 700, that being about the total number of men engaged at the various works during the peak of the season. A PETONE resolution. MEN’S ACTION ENDORSED. {Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 19. A combined meeting of the employees of the Gear Meat Comnany and the Wellington Meat Export Company was held at Pctone last night. A resolution was carried endorsing, by a substantial majority, the action of the Hawke’s Bay men in the dispute. Mr M'Leod (secretary of the Wellington District Freezing Workers’ Union) stated to-day that the freezing workers at Patoa Imlay, Castlecliff, Feilding, and Longburn had ajso endorsed the attitude taken up. SPECULATION AT WANGANUI. EMPLOYERS’ ATTITUDE. (From Ocr Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, November 19. A good deal -of speculation exists as to what is going to occur at the refrigerating company’s freezing works at Imlay when killing operations for the season are commenced. It is quite on the cards, however, that unless the Hawke s Bay trouble is ended, and the desired consummation is not in eight just yet, the boards will not be manned by regular slaughtermen. It is stated that the demand for an increase of 10 per cent, on the present rates of pay is to bo refused. The permanent union hands at Imlay, who have been working all through the winter, have received no instructions from the union. Mr H. E. Zeisler (manager of the Imlay works) says that if the men do not turn to on Tuesday morning the company is quite prepared to open on Wednesday or Thursday without them. When it was first known that trouble might be expected, owing to the firm resistance encountered by the men’s claims, the companies undertook the organisation of volunteer reserves, which have already stepped into the breach in Hawke’s Bay, and will do the same if necessary at Wanganui next week. ‘Reports from Napier and tedding state that at Tomoana and Aorangi the permanent freezing works hands have been called out 'in a sympathetic strike.

POVERTY BAY SUPPORT,

(Pee United Press Association.)

GISBORNE, November 18. At a meeting of the Poverty Bay Freezers’ Union to-night 240 men were present, and the following resolution was carried— “ That this meeting supports the action taken by ”'e Hawke’s Bay members in the present dispute.