LOSS OF WAGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19882, 8 March 1939, Page 14

LOSS OF WAGES

LABOURERS’ OBJECTIONS MEETINGS AT WESTFIELD WORKERS AT VARIANCE REFUSAL OF PAYMENT (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, .this day. A stoppage of operations on the mutton floor of the Westfield freezing works between 10 a.m. and noon and a complete cessation of work, involving fully 1000 employees, for an hour in (the afternoon resulted yesterday from a dispute concerning mutton ■slaughtermen and 'labourers. The hold-up of work embarrassed the management, which stated It was not concerned in the differences although it was approached 'by a deputation and the union secretary, Mr. W. E. Sail.

When issues between the workers could not be adjusted at the usual break for “smoko” at 10 o’clock, the mutton butchers were called to a meeting by the secretary, Mr. Sill. Their discussions extended until 11 o'clock and when the slaughtermen, numbering about 100, returned to the department to resume work the labourers expressed resentment at the loss of time. They declined to start work until' they received assurances that they would be paid for the loss of wages, pointing out that they were oni hourly rates and could only receive remuneration for actual working time. The slaughtermen are employed on piece-work rates.Not Province of Employers Representations were made to the management, which stated that as the responsibility for the .stoppage of work rested with the workers themselves, any consequential loss of wages was beyond 'the province of the employers to adjust. No progress was made and slaughtering on the mutton ■chains had not been resumed at the lunch interval at noon. Only workers handling mutton were involved in the stqppage up to this stage, the total number concerned being just over 150 men. During the luneh hour it was decided to submit the issues to a mass meeting of employees and alt departments, excepting a portion of the cannery, were idle until 2 o’clock. A deputation from the meeting interviewed the management and requested that it consent to paying the labourers for the time they were standing by in the morning. This was not granted, officials pointing out that work was waiting for all hands. The mass meeting decided to resume work and to leave consideration of the issues to the union executive. The possibility of a test claim being made has been discussed.