STRIKE MOOTED.

Southland Times, Issue 20013, 29 October 1926, Page 7

STRIKE MOOTED.

FE E EZING INDUSTRY ATLIANCE OF LABOUR INVOKER MEETING AT FEIUMNG (Special to the Times.) Palmerston North, October 28. That in the event of a strike this branch of the Wellington Freezers’ Union agree to handing over the conduct of the strike to the New Zealand Alliance of Labour. The foregoing resolution was carried unanimously by the largest meeting on record of the Feilding branch of the Wellington Freezers’ Union held on Tuesday evening last. This meeting was urgently summoned to consider the demands made on behalf of the slaughtermen for an increase in wages of 10 per cent. There was a good attendance. After the reason for the meeting was explained correspondence which had passed between the unions’s representatives and the freezing companies’ reprefientatives was read to those present. One letter from the union concerned an application for a 10 per cent, increase in wages for butchers and a Id per hour increase for all their workers in the freezing industry. The freezing companies’ reply to the effect that the increase could not be granted was next read an<l then followed the reading of a further letter from the union suggesting a conference of parties and that the union was quite prepared to discuss the pros and cons of the slaughtermen’s application. The company’s letter in reply refusing this request, was also read. The district secretary and organiser, Mr A McLeod, then addressed the meeting in support of the demand for increased wages. He stressed the point that during the war period producers received high prices for their produce and should be able to pay the freezers an increase in wages.

The above resolution was then carried unanimously, the district secretary stating that similar resolutions had already been carried by different branches throughout New Zealand. All such resolutions, with only one exceptions, had been carried unanimously. This particular case referred to Hawke’s Bay, where the union had prevented the slaughtermen turning to to kill show sheep. A meeting of the branch there was called and attended by 157 men t of whom only 20 voted against the motion. The organiser stressed the point at the Feilding meeting that with the backing of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour seamen, waterside workers and all other affiliated unions would support the action of the slaughtermen. In acktition to the alxwe facte it was learned that the meeting was dominated by extremists who were emphatic in declaring that the demand for increased wages had to be satisfied. A number of those present were against the proposal, but did not express their opinions owing to a fear of victimisation. It is understood that many of the local men are prepared to go to work when the Feilding works open at existing rates of wages, but arc unable to do so in view of the attitude of those controlling the union. The extremists controlling the union are emphasising the help which the Alliance pf Labour has apparently promised to give in fighting for the demands of the slaughtermen. The policy to be adopted by the men will be that they are to turn up at the works when opening day arrives, but will only be prepared to turn to in the event of the higher wages being granted. Hitherto there has been no mention of the Alliance of Labour being involved in the issue and definite information on this ;>oini; comes as a surprise, although the idea was entertained in some quarters that in persisting in their demand the union had the support of the Alliance in view. This places the issue in a much more serious tight, for it would involve the seamen and waterside workers and the Transport union, who may at the bidding of the Alliance, decide upon a sympathy strike unless the slaughtermen are prepared to forego their demancte. It looks as though the granting of an increase of 2/6 per hundred to the shearers » going to be responsible for pjlunging the country into an industrial upheaval whernn the wage-earner must bear untold suffering. THREATENED HOU) UP, THE WAGIsS QUESTION. ANXIETY IN HAWKES BAY. (Per United Press AssociationJ Haslirm, October 28. Interviewed regarding their attitude to unionist bntebera, who in the event of the threatened hold-up occurring, may be prepared to start kilting on Monday in spite of orders to the contrary from their union, the managers of three local works stated that the companies have no advice from the union that the men do not intend to commence work, although it is common knowledge that as a result of a meeting they are determined not to commence. If thia is so then the companies desire to make it emphatically clear that the nsdtmg loijj and trouble is in no sense their making. There is a contract jwrtJy completed and v Inch the men have already observed for two years and it is agreed tins coulract remain in force until next June. It Is suggested the men now propose to break it They requested the contract to be set aside and they get a 10 per cent, increase in wages. The Freezing Works Association was unable to consent and that decision was endorsed by the local compaxvies. For these reasons (D while abways wilting to give the utmost eonsiderdtion to legitimate grievances of the men, it is agreet 1 that in this case there is a contract and it should be kept; (2) since the slump there has never been a more inopportune time as far as producers are concerned, to make a demand for increased wages. Last year the farmers faced wretchedly bad markets and m Hawke’s Bay a drought which caused them the loss of many scores of thousands of pounds. To-day they are confronted still with bad markets and another drought which promotes to make the season even more disastrous than last. It Is safe to say that the producers generally must be prepared to make ends meet with probably 50 per cent, less income than they had two years ago. Yet they do not suggest that the freezing workers' income, which they have to find, should be reduced by one penny. As to the equity of it the freezing companies o’.'er no opinion but nrither do they suggest any reduction. They know there is the men’s point of view to be taken into account and that in these times, the men as well ns the farmers have their difficulties but they do not agree that in the circumstances the slightest justification can be found for an increase and they stand by the decision of the association. Every man’s place will be open for him next Monday. If the men decide not to work that is their business but if a decision is forced upon them then • much as they will regret it, the companies will be compelled to make other arrangements. In such a case the companies will most decidedly extend every consideration in their power to those who are prepared to commence at the award rates.