FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1926, Page 15

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES MAKE NEW OFFER. NEW AWARD TO BE SOUGHT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. As the result of a conference of representatives of freezing works and farmers’ organisations, which has just concluded in Wellington, there has been an important development in the dispute which has arisen from the demands made by the workers for a ten per eent. Increase on the present award rates.

After a full discussion of the position, the conference, while confirming its allegiance to the present award, decided to offer to join with the men in asking the Arbitration Court to issue a new award. This offer was made on condition that the men accepted work at once and that all non-union workers should retain their positions. Following the conference, Mr. J. Milne, acting on behalf of the freezing companies of New Zealand, forwarded the following letter to Mr. H. C. Revell, of Kaiapoi, who is the secretary of the New Zealand Freezing Works and Related Trades Industrial Association of Workers: “At several freezing works in the North Island slaughtermen and others have failed to respond to the call for work. We can only assume that this course of action is due to the freezing companies having refused to consider, an increase of 10 per cent, in the rate of wages. I am authorised, on behalf of the freezing companies of New Zealand, to inform you that they consider there are several matters in the existing award which eould be amended, including a decrease in the rates of wages in the cases of certain classes of labour. Nevertheless, we propose to abide faithfully by the Arbitration Court’s award as it stands until a new award is issued. If, however, your federation is really of opinion that there is any justice in your demand for an increase in wages, we will quite willingly join with you in asking the Arbitration Court to cancel the existing award and to issue a new award. We make this offer with the proviso that the members of your unions shall aeeept work forthwith and that all non-union workers, engaged because of the lack of other labour, shall retain their positions if they so desire.”

The letter was forwarded so that it would reach Mr. Revell this morning. It is understood that a further conference is being held this afternoon between those concerned in the industry and a Cabinet Minister. Wellington, Nov. 26. The Wellington branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineering and Allied Trades on November 23 carried a resolution of sympathy with the Hawke’s Bay freezing workers in the stand they had taken to secure a jiving wage for service they rendered the community. They declared it was a public scandal that between 30 and 40 per cent, of those workers were only able to earn by the award in the Arbitration Court roughly £3 to £3 5a per week during the season, and were then dismissed when the labour market was at its worst. They appealed to workers through their industrial organisations to give every support to the freezing workers

Wairoa, Nov. 25. At a fairly representative meeting gf the local Freezing Workers’ Union, held last night, the members decided by a substantial majority to support the Hawke’s Bay men. Consequently no unionists will be available locally when the works open next Wednesday. Feilding, Last Night.

There are nine butchers on the board at the Feilding freezing works. Everything is proceeding smoothly and work was started to-day on lambs. The management is particularly satisfied with the work done and there is ample voluntary labour offering.

It is learned that the unionist butchers are against working, while the labourers favour starting. Though the Feilding branch of the union carried a resolution in favour of starting work no move has yet been made by the unionists.