WORK STOPS AT WESTFIELD

Southland Times, Issue 23678, 29 November 1938, Page 8

WORK STOPS AT WESTFIELD

Men Protest Against Interpretation

CLAUSE REFERRING TO APPLIANCES THOUSANDS OF HEAD OF STOCK ON HAND (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 28. As a protest against the Arbitration Court’s interpretation of a clause in their award relating to the manning of mechanical appliances for handling stock during slaughtering and dressing operations the employees of the Westfield freezing works ceased work at 10 a.m. today and the works were idle for the remainder of the day. Although fewer than 100 men are directly concerned in the clause in question, employees in all departments, including women and girls engaged in the cannery, numbering over 800, ceased work. The employees began work at the usual hour in the morning, but, as a result of a meeting of the union and workers’ delegates held shortly after 8 a.m., a general stop-work meeting was called at 10 o’clock to discuss the position in view of the decision of the industrial Magistrate, Mr J. A. Gilmour. The clause in the award stated that: “On and after October 1, 1938, not more than 35 workers shall be employed on any chain” used for handling stock. The men contended at the recent hearing of the case that the mechanical appliance used at the Westfield .works was a “chain,” while on behalf of the employers it was argued that there were two “rings” installed at the. Westfield works, which were the equivalent of four chains. The Magistrate, in'his finding, said the award appeared to be defective as it had not made provision for some limitation of the number of workers employed in the system of slaughtering at Westfield.

BRIEF DISCUSSION At the meeting of employees it was stated that the Court had failed to clear up the doubts contained in the clause. The slaughtermen were definitely of the opinion that the system under which they worked was a “chain” for all practical purposes and the limitation set out in the award should govern conditions at the works. After a brief discussion the men decided to cease work as a protest. All that was conveyed to the management was an announcement that a further meeting would be held at the works tomorrow to discuss matters. The action of the men left the management with several thousands of lambs, sheep, cattle and pigs on hand, as arrangements had been made for a full day’s killing. The staff, hands and others employed about the works on building alterations and construction remained at work, but the management had no means of disposing of the stock.. In view of the uncertainty of the position the freighting of stock for killing tomorrow was cancelled. One of the most serious repercussions is the interruption in killing for chilled beef to be loaded on the Port Townsville, which is scheduled to sail on Saturday. The management stated that even if killing operations are resumed at the earliest possible moment the works will be unable to fill the space which has been reserved on the boat. LABOUR FEDERATION TAKES ACTION MEMBERS TRY TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 28. At the suggestion of the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) members of the Auckland Trades Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour endeavoured this afternoon to open negotiations with representatives of the Freezing Workers’ Union at the Westfield works. Mr H. Campbell, secretary of the council, and Mr F. Craig, a member of the executive, visited the works, but they were then unable to get in touch with the acting secretary of the union or members of the executive. The secretary of the union, Mr W. E. Sill, is at present ill. So far no conference has been arranged with the employers by the union or by the federation on its behalf.