FREEZING WORKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24826, 28 January 1942, Page 4

FREEZING WORKERS

GRIEVANCES VENTILATED EXCHANGES WITH MINISTER SOME PLAIN SPEAKING (P.A.) AUCKLAND. Jan. 27. Plain speaking characterised the exchanges betwene the Minister of Labour, Mr P. C. Webb, and many of the 1700 employees at the Westfield Freezing Works whom he addressed at the lunch interval to-day. The chief grievances ventilated in the questions by the workers were in regard to bus services to and from the works, and the Government’s action in issuing the Overtime and Holiday Suspension Order which abrogates industrial awards in respect of payment for work done on holidays. The Minister was still being assailed with questions when the meeting, which lasted for 80 minutes, was closed by the chairman, Mr R. Barry, president of the works branch of the union.

“ Because we are jealous of what we have done to improve conditions in New Zealand we are determined that no stupid action will jeopardise the Labour Government,” declared the Minister in stressing the seriqus position in the Pacific. Australian territory had been bombarded and attacked.

Any day our turn might come, continued the Minister, and it was just as much the concern of the workers who were asked to do their part by producing the food and munitions required by their comrades in trenches. The Minister was proceeding to extol the work of the Government in regard to the war when a voice interrupted: “ What about the bus service to the works? ’’ A Ministerial Car

Mr Webb said he wanted to see the best possible facilities provided, and explained the reasons for the petrol restrictions. A voice; What about your big car? “ Some of those who are growling now about having no petrol were getting 10s a week in relief works before the Labour Government came into office,” replied Mr Webb. “They now have cars and are growling because they have no petrol or their income tax is too high. ’ Mr Webb said the Government was not going to tolerate stoppages of work which held up production. Any union guilty of that would be de-registered. “We do not want to be hard on you. We only want your co-operation,” he continued. “Let us get together now. Employers and employees must work together, and I would like to see a joint committee operating in every industry. Differences can be adjusted without holding up production. Everything is now in the melting pot, and we are facing the greatest menace ever faced by humanity. In these days our motto should be: ‘Work, more work, and still more work.’ ” From all parts of the assembly came a barrage of questions at the conclusion of the Minister’s address. In reply to an inquiry as to what channels were open to the workers to ventilate their grievances, the Minister said there was the Industrial Disputes Committee. “ Had you approached me. I could have convened a conference, but you never gave me a chance,” he added, amid cries of dissent. “We cannot govern unless we carry out the law. Some people force us by their actions into this attitude.” The Industrial Council

In reply to further questions as to the bus service, the Minister promised to call a conference of the railway and transport services concerned. “ I will do that right away,” he declared. A questioner: Why were two members of the Hotel Workers’ Union appointed to the Industrial Council and no representatives of the freezing industry appointed? Mr Webb: The two men mentioned were appointed by the Federation of Labour, and represent 300,000 workers. A voice; They were appointed by the National Executive, and the rank and file were not consulted. Another questioner asked what happened to the wages which the workers lost under the Overtime and Holiday Suspension Order. “Are the employers being asked to hand the money over to the Government? ” he asked. The Minister; It may go to help pay old age pensions and other social benefits v/e have given the people. After loud cries of dissent Subsided the Minister said he was against any employer making a profit out of the war. The question was not so simple of solution as some people seemed to think.

Numerous questioners were striving to be heard when the chairman declared the meeting closed without anv resolution having been submitted.

DISPUTE OVER PAY ANNIVERSARY DAY HOLIDAY GLASS WORKS TO CLOSE (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 27. As a result of a decision by the employees to disregard the Overtime and Holiday Suspension Order, the works of the New Zealand Glass Manufacturing Company, Ltd., at Penrose, will be closed for 24 hours from 8 a.m. on Thursday. The men held a meeting to-day, and later notified the management that they would not work on Anniversary Day unless they were paid at treble rates of pay, as provided in their industrial agreement. Thursday’s holiday is one of those stipulated in the agreement. The management stated it had to comply with the Government’s order and pay wages at the rates directed. If the men adhered to their decision, the works, which were on shift work, would have to close for the whole day, as distinct from a normal working day.