CONCERN AMONG EMPLOYEES

Southland Times, Issue 23976, 17 November 1939, Page 4

CONCERN AMONG EMPLOYEES

STAFF REDUCTIONS EXPECTED MEETING TO BE HELD IN INVERCARGILL Concern over the possibility of retrenchment among the staffs of Invercargill business firms is felt by employees. The position that has arisen as a result of firms being unable to obtain the goods they require will be discussed at a meeting of employees to be held on Monday night, when it is expected that modification of the import restrictions and exchange control regulations will be strongly urged and a decision reached to make representations to the Government. It is understood that the decision to call the meeting was prompted by the report, printed on Tuesday, of a meeting of employees at Hamilton, where it was decided to hold a mass meeting of shop assistants on Monday next. The chairman at the Hamilton meeting emphasized that there must be some easing of the import restrictions if they were going to retain their employment. Invercargill employees, it was learned yesterday, have good reason to be concerned about their positions in the new year, as some firms have already indicated to their staffs that because they are unable to increase their present stocks they will have less to sell after the holidays and will consequently not require the number of employees they are carrying at present. All classes of employees, it‘was stated, would be affected, and it was hoped to make Monday’s meeting as representative as possible.