KILLING CEASES AT BELFAST

Southland Times, Issue 23436, 17 February 1938, Page 4

KILLING CEASES AT BELFAST

MEN ADOPT “GO-SLOW” TACTICS CONFLICTING REASONS FOR STOPPAGE (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, February 16. Because the men working on the slaughtering chain at the Belfast works of Thomas Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd. adopted “go-slow” tactics killing operations at the works ceased this morning. The consequence was that carcases arrived at the weighing scale only partly dressed and some actually with the skins left on. Up to 8.45 a.m. 332 carcases went down the chain, 86 arriving at the scale undressed or unskinned. In these circumstances, according to • officials of the company, it was impossible to carry on killing operations and the men refused to work to normal capacity. The company, therefore, had ' to cease operations altogether and turn , live stock into the holding paddocks. ■ Conflicting reasons were given by officers of the Canterbury Freezing Workers’ Union and the South Island - Freezing Association for the cessation i of operations at the works. The secreta.ry of the South Island . Freezing Association (Mr C. G. Wil--1 kins), who had discussed the matter I with the manager of Thomas Borth- > wick and Sons (Mr A. C. Wells), said the action of the men was the result of their objecting to the refusal of the t company to reinstate a foreman who ‘ was on the permanent salaried staff : and who'was recently dismissed.

NO PURCHASES AT ADDINGTON “The company takes the view that it is not accountable either to the Freezing Workers’ Union or to the men employed at the works in regard to any matters as between itself and its foremen, who, in any case, are not subject to the New Zealand freezing workers award,” said Mr Wilkins. “Even if they were the management clause in the award conserves the rights of the einployers to manage and control their own business and in respect to hiring, conduct, duties and the dismissal of persons in their employment. The immediate consequence was that Borthwick’s were unable to operate at the Addington market today.” Mr Wilkins added that the following notice had been posted up at the works: “Notice is hereby given that wages due to all men employed on the chaii will be paid at the works office immediately. The foreman will reengage men on Thursday morning at 7.45 a.m.” , _ , , The secretary of the Canterbury Freezing Workers’ Union (Mr H. G. Kilpatrick) said that the company had stopped the chains from working because they were not functioning normally. In one instance a legger was missing from a chain. Similar disorganization occurred later in another chain through a man becoming injured and in both instances the company would not engage other men to Kilpatrick said he had received advice from Wellington that the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr M. J. Reardon) would visit Christchurch tomorrow morning to attend an inquiry to be held at the works. The union and the company would be represented at that the men made preparations for a stay-in strike tonight. They had bedding at the works, but eventually changed their plans and left the works at 5.30 p.m.