FREEZING TROUBLE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16202, 27 November 1926, Page 5

FREEZING TROUBLE

A NEW DEVELOPMENT

VOLUNTEERS JOIN UNION EFFECT ON PRESENT POSITION. The one outstanding development in the freezing trouble- in the Poverty Bay district to date took place during the week, for the whole of the volunteer staffs at both freezing works have joined up with the breezing Workers’ Union. This places the trouble in a very different category from that in which if was to be found at the commencement of tho week, for tho works arc now in effect manned with union workers. The majority of lire volunteers at the two freezing works that have so far opened are men who are prepared to work throughout the season, and therefore they are entitled to become members of the Freezing Workers’ Union. A few farmers and farm hands who have no'intention of remaining at work, after the trouble is settled have Not. applied for membership, but the majority of the men have applied for members’ tickets. Under the award anyone applying for permission to join up with the union must be given his ticket-, provided he is of good character and is prepared to pay the necessary fees. The volunteers, determined to have no doubt about the matter, have included entrance fees with their applications, and it is therefore clear that they are. now, in effect, members of tho Poverty Bay branch of the Freezing Workers’ Union. NOT “SCAB” LABOR. Under no circumstances can those members of the union who are still refusing to take work declare that the labor nowbeing employed is “scab” labor, for the men aro unionists in exactly the same manner as those who have all along been members. This also has an important effect on the position so far as the meat which has been killed is concerned, for it cannot possibly be declared “black.”

In other places it has been freely mentioned that the watersiders are prepared to stand by the freezing workers and refuse to load the meat killed by the volunteers, but this would render them guilty of an illegal act, and would now bo impossible. The position is probably unique in labor circles and wiR provide food for thought amongst those who have been led by the officials of the Alliance of Labor, which took charge of the dispute at the outset. MEETINGS OF WORKERS. Yesterday it was intimated that Mr. .Roberts, an official of the Alliance of Labox’, who has been busy in Hawke’s Bay during the week, was expected to arrive in Gisborne to-day. It is now stated, however, that Mr. Roberts will not visit Gisborne’, but so far no intimation has been given as to whether or not his place will be taken by any other member of the Alliance of Labor. Meetings of member.s of tho freezing Workers’ Union are called for to-mor-row, and it is considered likely that these will prove of an exceedingly stormy character. Many of the men are openly out. of sympathy with the strike, and the fact that half-hearted support is now being given in other districts is likely to raise a n urn tier of questions that may he difficult for the leaders to answer. AT THE WORKS. Yesterday proved another very satisfactory day at both the Poverty Bay freezing works, and the men, who have now got into the swing of killing are bundling the stock ' exceedingly well. Over 1000 head would have been dealt with at each of the works if the men had been going for tho full day, but small mobs were handled and about 750 sheep and lambs were killed at caelj works.

Each day t-he men have shown a steady imp'rovement, and there nrc now many of the volunteers who are qualified as butchers, being able to kill more than the requisite, eight sheep per hour. It is intended to engage a few more butchers at each of tho works next week as from now onwards more stock will be coming foi’ward for killing. If tho trouble is not settled by the- end of next week, by which time lambs will be coming forward in big numbers, there is reason to believe that from 150 J to sheep a day will be killed without trouble.

WHOSE IS THE BLAME?

A QUESTION FOR FREEZERS MR. J. W. NOLAN’S STATEMENT Reference, to the dispute between the freezing companies and union butchers was made to-day by Mr. J. "W Nolan, chairman of directors, a. the annual meeting of shareholders of the G.R.F.M. and M. Company. Mr. Nolan analysed the position as it exists to-day, and declared that the labor leaders were fomenting trouble that would not touch their own salaries, which continued “strike or no strike.” A declaration that the term “scab” could not be applied to the unionist who fulfilled his obligations under an existing agreement, and that the company, must; protect the man who had carried on the industry during the early days of tlm trouble, was made by the chairman, who made the following statement: “1 feel that r should not close my remarks without some reference to the topic of the moment in the freezing world, that is, the lock-out strike, or whatever other technical name by which" the present position may bo called. It does not. appear to me to he either a lock-out or a strike, but it. certainly is a refusal on tho part of members of the Freezers’ Union to cii.rrv on the work which, by becoming members of such union and being parties to the freezing workers’ award, they undertake to do. NO MORAL WARRANT. “The reasons for such refusal are not very clear. The Gisborne branch apparently refuses to work, out of sympathy with the Hawke’s Bay branch, and what, the latter’s reasons for refusal are is equally involved; but as far as one can understand, it arises from the refusal of the employers to pay a 10 per cent, advance on award rates. If this is so, it. is (even amongst themselves) a most unjust. nml inequitable demand and one which 1 am sure the men themselves do not understand, as the effect would be to give the higher paid men an enormous advance, whilst the lower paid men would receive a mere pittance bv way of increase. A moral side to* the refusal is certainly nonexistent. These men enter into ; solemn contract- or award that for three years they will carry out work as provided in smh award and at tales therein specified. They do so lor two venvs, then suddenly say, ‘We mo not going to keep our contract to work unless you give us an increase of 10 per cent.’ This certainly is not moral and is distinctly dishonorI able.

*• AM USING PRODUCTIONS.” ‘‘lt is fairly evident that llit-t position is aoe of tho men’s seeking, but is forced on thorn by the heads of the various unions, accompanied |,y statements from some mythical body, unknown fortunately in Nov Zealand, milled the Alliance of Labor. These gentlemen hold meetings, and when they do allow a resolution to ne put to a. meeting of freezing workcis, certainly succeed in getting some very amusing productions passed. 1 notice one in particular reported, beginning with a throat to the effect that if their demands were not agreed to they would take steps to prevent the working men of Great. Britain from eating New Zealand lamb, and winding up with a bribe: ‘Give us vi hat we ask a.itd wc will see that the work-people of Groat Britain indulge largely in the article you produce and thereby create a profitable market for your product.’ One wonders if Ihe men who voted for this resolution saw tie* funny side, or even recognised the absolute absurdity of it. 1 trow not. \ “BOOTED INTO REFUSAL.” “it is difficult to understand the mentality of men who allow* themselves to' bo absolutely booted into refusing work by a few well-paid officials, who, unlike themselves, draw their salary regularly, strike or no strike, this self-same salary beingdrawn from the men’s earnings I was going to say from the sweat of the men *s brows, but perhaps that, would somewhat exaggerate the position. There is, however, quite an-

other side, to the situation that these men seem to overlook, and that is, the actual direct loss in money to themselves. You men in Gisborne, have only been at present out for a week, and we can take it you aro asking for a 10 per cent, rise on your present earnings. Now, if you will sit down and work out how long it will take you to make up the loss of even one week’s wages from your 10 per cent, rise, the result will give you something to think about. WHAT IS A SOAP.? “Why is it; you men who disapprove of the position forced upon you, allow yourselves to be so coerced ! By going to. work you are committing no breach of either your award or union rules. Von cannot be called a.‘scab’ for doing so (a word 1 understand unionists are fearful of), but as 1 understand the application of the word ‘scab,’ the expression is certainly applicable to the man who refuses to carry out any solemn contract and award lie has entered into, and not to the man who legitimately takes up work offered him that has been wrongfully refused by others. If the labor leaders are insistent on bludgeoning the primary producer into accepting their terms, till .1 can say is they have chosen a very inopportune time to do so, as tit. the moment the primary producer is right up against it. There is plenty of free labor available to carry on the freezing works, and if necessary, to handle the shipping. As regards the latter, there is nothing for the freezing companies here in worry about at present, as there will be no shipping out. for some time, and the companies have tut ample supply of coal on hand to carry them through the season. They eau, if necessary, hold the whole seasons’ output in their own chambers for another 12 months. “There is no-doubt-whatever that this present strike or hold-up is bound to fail,” concluded Air". Nolan, “for the very simple reason that the industry is carrying on, and the sooner the workers realise this the better for themselves and their families. As it is, many of them may wake up and find that their positions have been filled by 'others who have been engaged owing to (lie freezing workers’ own conduct. One can but feel sorry for men who have allowed themselves to be pushed into Ihis position, but they cannot blame the freezing companies who are in honor bound to be loyal to men who came to their assistance. Put the blame on the right, shoulders. Your ill-advised leaders, who. for some .unknown reasons of their own, not altoglher an increase in rates of pay, have brought about the present situation.”

WORKERS’ EARNINGS

FIGURES FROM WAIROA (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. In connection with the freezing works dispute and the decision of the Witiroa branch of the union to cast in its lot with Hawke’s Bay, it may be interesting to note that last year, which was a light one for killing- owing to the dry weather, the. butchers alone drew slightly under £3OOO in wages, and probably double that, amount by the assistant butchers and the men of other departments m operations dependent on the butchers’ work. Many of the young and struggling farmers of the county have been glad to do road work and other jobs, and the cheques the workers lose will now go back to ilie land unless tlic butchers go to work.

RETURN TO WORK THE COMPANIES’ OFFER fPer Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Following the conference of representatives of freezing works and farmers’ organisations Mr. J. Milne, acting on behalf of the freezing companies of New Zealand, forwarded the following letter to Mr, 11. 0. Revel], lvaiapoi, who is secretary of the New Zealand Freezing Workers

and Related Trades Industrial Association of Workers:

“At several freezing works in the North Island slaughtermen and othors ( have failed to respond to the call for work. Wo can only assume that, this course of notion is due to the freezing companies having refused to consider an increase of 10 per cent, in tho rate of wages. I am authorised on behalf of the freezing companies of New Zealand to inform you that they consider there are several matters in the existing award which should be amended, including a decrease in rales of wages in the case of certain classes of labor. Nevertheless we propose to abide faith fully by the Arbitration Court's award <%s it stands until a new award is issued. If, however, your l-'edoi-a I ion is really of opinion there is any justice in your demand for an increase in wages we are quite willing 10 join with you in asking the .Arbitration Court; to cancel the existing award, and to issue a new award.” “We make this offer with the proviso that the members of your unions shall accept: work forthwith and that all non-union workers engaged because of tho lack of other

labor shall retain their positions if they so desire." The letter was forwarded so that it would reach Mr. Revell this morning. It is understood that a further con forcnce is being hold this afternoon between those concerned in the industry and Cabinet Ministers.

FOLDING WORKS OPERATING FEILDING, last night. Nino butcliors are on the board at the Keihliug freezing works, and the work is proceeding smoothly. They started to-day on lambs. The management is particularly satistied with the work. Ample voluntary labor is offering. It is learned that three unionist butchers are against working, while other laborers favor starting. Though the Tedding branch carried a resolution in favor of starting no move has yet been made by the unionists.