STRIKE AT PAREORA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 21

STRIKE AT PAREORA.

DEMAND FOR OVERTIME.

TIMARU, February 16. The Canterbury Frozen Moat Company's Pareora works aie closed down to-day in consequence of a strike of the slaughtermen's assistants. Under the award of th-e Canteibury Assistant's' Union the rate of wages is 10£ d per hour, with no mention of overtime. About 40 non-union men were employed in that capacity on "Wednesday, and they gave 24 hours' notice that unless paid at time and a-half rate after eight hours they would cease work. The management referred them to the award, and refused their demand, and yesterday they clid not turn up. Arrangements were made to fill the places of a sufficient number to allow 15 butchers to work this morning, but the latter refused to start unless a full board of 45 could start ; consequently jjo work could be done. All attempts to settle the difficulty so far have been unavailing. The men say they were never told anything 1 , and knew nothing of the award and their responsibility under it. They deny that they struck, but say they have simply ceased work because they are dissatisfied with, the conditions, as all other employees get extra pay for overtime. Legal proceedings are " to be taken against the strikers, and the Arbitn tion Court will sit tere a* toon as it is finished at Weiluig-

ton. From 7000 to 80C0 sheep are now in the paddocks at the works waiting for slaughter, and all being- fed with hay. February 18. The strike at Pareora has broken down. The butchers resumed work this morning with a scratch crew of assistants, and during tho day the consideration of an offer by the managing director and the persuasion of Mr Johns (secretary of the union) led the men to agree to resume work tomorrow. The offer is that if the men turn to at once at tho present rate of lO^d an hour, the aw aid will be reconsidered, and if the rate be increased they will receive the difference as back pay from date. The butchers drsirc to say that their action in refusing to work by sections should not be construed as a strike.