NO OVERTIME TO BE WORKED

Southland Times, Issue 24332, 13 January 1941, Page 4

NO OVERTIME TO BE WORKED

Request Refused By Slaughtermen WORKS AT MAKAREWA AND MATAURA The slaughtermen in Southland have unanimously decided not to accede to the request by the Southland Frozen Meat Company that a certain amount of overtime should be worked at the Makarewa and Mataura works to relieve the congestion caused by a shortage of slaughtermen and the rush of lambs. In announcing the proposal last week. Mr Alex Derbie, general manager of the company, stated that even half an hour of overtime a day would greatly relieve the congestion that was likely to arise. He said the matter was most urgent and he hoped the workers would appreciate the necessity for action to relieve the position. MORE MEN ENGAGED Since last week the position at the works has improved to some extent. More slaughtermen have been engaged and the recent rains have allayed the fears of farmers about a possible feed shortage. On Saturday night a combined meeting of the Ocean Beach, Makarewa and Mataura branches of the Freezing Workers’ Union was held, and it was decided that no overtime should be worked. The following statement was issued on behalf of the three branches: “At a combined meeting of the Ocean Beach, Makarewa and Mataura branches of the Freezing Workers’ Union the question of slaughtermen working overtime was discussed at considerable length. No sound reason could be advanced to show why slaughtermen should work overtime, and. because of the circumstances, it was unanimously decided not to work overtime.

“The same view was taken by the men in other works in the Otago and Southland district and they decided to adopt a similar attitude.” SLAUGHTERMEN WORK EXTRA HOUR MASS MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (United Press Association) ■WANGANUI, January 12. Although it had been stated that, in order to cope with the rush of lambs being sent to the New Zealand Refrigerating Company's Imlay works, all the employees had agreed, except the slaughtermen, to start work at 7 o’clock today, the slaughtermen assembled and worked the extra hour. The secretary of the Slaughtermen’s Union, Mr S. Howes, when seen today, stated that the question of overtime work in the mornings, involving an earlier start, was discussed between the management and delegates of the men on Thursday when the delegates referred the matter back to the respective departments. A ballot was I taken and resulted in favour of work- i ing the extra hour. The slaughtermen met yesterday and were informed of the result of the ballot and, after a discussion, resolved that the matter be referred back to a mass meeting of the I employees on Monday. I

It was stated that they were agreeable to work the hour extra for three mornings a week. It had been stated that the company was prepared to deal with 7500 lambs daily, said Mx - Howes. There were sufficient slaughtermen to deal with that number, but it had to be remembered that many of the men were new hands and inexperienced. It had been stated that, because of the attitude of the men, however, the bookings would have to be restricted rather than have stock delayed at the works. Mi' Howes denies there was an undue delay in actual time lost in killing. It would not have amounted to more than 20 minutes. A meeting of the main union will be held on Monday, when the question of overtime work will be discussed. WORK CONTINUED AT KING’S _WHARF CARGO FOR OVERSEAS SHIPS HANDLED (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 12. Work was continued as usual at the Kings Wharf Freezing Stores today, the men being engaged on storing newlyarrived produce. Cargo for overseas ships was put on on Saturday. The loading of vessels was continued to- , day. Little delay was caused, in spite of unsettled weather. WORK PROCEEDING NORMALLY (United Press Association) AUCKLAND. January 11. Work is proceeding normally at Westfield and Southdown freezing works today and no mass meetings were held about the cool stores dispute.