WOOLLEN MILL DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23369, 8 December 1937, Page 6

WOOLLEN MILL DISPUTE

"employees collect pay

NO NEGOTIATIONS OPENED. (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Dec. 7. It was pay day at the Onehunga Woollen Mills to-day, and the employees on strike turned up at the works and drew their balances of pay. There were many jokes and good humour ruled, although evidence of the determination of the employees was provided by the presence of pickets. The company has taken no steps to work the mill since the strike, which came into effect on Monday, nor has it made any move to negotiate—an attitude which has drawn a protest from Mr T. Long, secretary of the union. The company has simplv handed over the conduct of its side of the trouble to the. Auckland Employers' Association. _."■ ; The acting secretary of the association (Mr I. C. Howard) would make no statement of the position, but it is gathered that the company's view is that there is nothing to negotiate. Nothing the company has done, it is considered, has been a breach of the award. It was exactlv a week after the girls in the weaving section had walked off their job before the company was informed what their grievances were, and before consideration could be given to -/these the other employees 'issued an ultimatum' that unless matters were settled .there would be a complete cessation Of work at the mill. Before the roster in the weaving section was,posted the union secretary was consulted, and it was posted with his agreement. The roster was drawn out to assist the girls, for without it there could have been no continuity of work. In the circumstances, while the employees, through their union, affirm their willingness to negotiate, no indication can be given in view of the attitude of the company of the prospects of such negotiations taking nlace at the present stage of the trouble.