SECRET BALLOT AT WESTFIELD

Southland Times, Issue 23680, 1 December 1938, Page 6

SECRET BALLOT AT WESTFIELD

Decision Of Men On

Strike

ARRIVAL OF WORKERS WITH LUNCH BAGS

TALK OF DISSATISFACTION AMONG UNION MEMBERS

(United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, November 30.

A decision to hold a secret ballot to determine whether they would resume work was reached at a meeting of the Westfield freezing works employees, who have been on strike since Monday as a protest against the Arbitration Court’s interpretation of a clause in their agreement. The ballot is to be held tomorrow. When the workers assembled at the works at 8 a.m. today union officials reported the result of the conference held the previous day with the management of the works. A discussion developed about what further action should be taken in consequence of the failure of the parties to reach an that a secret ballot should be taken were opposed by union officials, according to statements made by several workers. They stated that arguments had Been advanced in opposition to the proposal until it was pointed out that under the union rules it was competent for a ballot to be taken when this action was desired by a defined number of members. Some disappointment was expressed that the ballot was not taken forthwith at the works, instead of waiting for another 24 hours. That many of the men had entertained hopes of a resumption of work being made today was indicated by the number arriving with lunch bags and cases. There was fairly general satisfaction with the decision to hold the ballot as a means of ascertaining the real majority opinion. VOTES AT MASS MEETINGS “While it is true that comparatively few workers have openly opposed the decision to strike, votes at mass meetings do not show the real opinions of the majority,” stated one of the men. He said the method of mass voting was a form of coercion that was difficult to combat. Workers were swayed not by feelings of loyalty or sympathy, but by reluctance to be the butt of their fellows when they went against the delegates’ recommendations. Another worker said the rank and file were dissatisfied with the handling of their affairs. “Unless something is done to stop those pin-pricking strikes a move will be made to break away from the union,” stated a man. who said he had nothing at stake in the dispute. He said the suggestion to establish another * union for labourers and other workers not concerned with the slaughtermen’s disputes was being openly canvassed. Developments would denend largely on the result of the ballot. During the morning the management organized a team of men from their works and outdoor staff to- kill and dress 1200 fat lambs that have been at the works since Monday. The company’s country buyers from various parts of the province and the works and office permanent staffs and a number of clerical workers from the firm’s Hamilton office were organized into gangs for handling the lambs and loading out the remainder of the chilled beef for shipment by the boat on Saturday. GOOD PROGRESS IN KILLING Killing was begun shortly before noon and continued until the normal hour of shutting down in the evening. Good progress was made, in spite of the fact that the work was foreign to the experience of many of the men engaged. A gang of about 60 manned part of the ring system, which is the basis of the dispute. The balance of the stock in hand and a few loads of pigs which arrived from the country will be handled tomorrow. It is stated that if the ballot is in favour of a return to work it vzill be put into effect only under protest and that work will not be resumed until 'the following day. Immediate steps are to be taken to refer the disputed clause in the award to the Arbitration Court again by way of appeal against the interpretation given by Mr J. A. Gilmour, S.M. It is likely that the union will ask the Court to remedy any defect which it might decide exists in the award.

Mr W. E. Sill, secretary of the Freezing Workers’ Union, said today that the workers’ grievance was not only the result of Mr Gilmour’s decision, but was also' that because of pressure of work on the Arbitration Court they would be unable to have the matter rectified within a reasonable time.