NO AGREEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 6

NO AGREEMENT

AUCKLAND BUTCHERS' DISPUTE DISSATISFACTION WITH AWARD A THREATENED STRIKE fpER United Press Association! AUCKLAND, Nov. 7. No agreement was reached at a conference of representatives of the Auckland Master Butchers' Association and the Auckland Butchers' Industrial Union of Workers, held to-day to discuss the workers' wages grievances. At a special meeting of the workers held last Sunday, a resolution was adopted in favour of a strike in.the event of the grievances not being settled by this week-end. . Another meeting of the workers is to be held on Sunday, when the Dosition will be reviewed in the light of the conference. The workers' grievances originated in their dissatisfaction with the wages fixed in the new award which was made by the Arbitration Court last month and came into operation on October 28. The wages for butchers and assistants in the retail butchery shops and allied establishments were fixed at the same rates as in the old award. The claim filed by the union sought increases in wages ranging from 12s 6d for female assistants to £1 foi first shopmen. At last Sunday's meeting it. was stated that several of the large employers had been voluntarily paying above the award wages. One firm wa' stated to have made a bonus payment of 5s for seniors and 3s for juniors for several weeks prior to the new award being made, and another firm had made increased payments last week on the first pay day following its operation. A In addition to seeking higher rates than those provided for in the award, the workers are insisting that any increases granted voluntarily by the employers or as a result of agreement in conference should be embodied, in the award. Those views were submitted bv the workers' representatives at, today's conference, but were rejected bv the employers' representatives. . The following statement was issued by the employers at the conclusion of the discussions:—" The employers stated that the dispute was considered by the Arbitration Court. They, therefore, cannot- agree to - the demands of the union," as they are of. the opinion that the award should be binding on both parties. The employers are not prepared to depart from the terms of the award."

The secretary cf the union. Mr W. E,. Sill. who. with three other delegates, represented the workers at the conference, said he could not make any statement, as a report on the conference had to be made to a general meeting of employees on Sunday. In the meantime he only' confirm that no progress had been made. The award covers all butchers' shops which employ labour within a'22-mile radius of Auckland. It is stated that fully 400 workers are involved in the dispute., •: