THE SLAUGHTERMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10680, 29 January 1913, Page 6

THE SLAUGHTERMEN.

CANTERBURY MEN CEASE WORK. FREEZING FACTORIES IDLE TODAY. HEAVY FINANCIAL LOSS INEVITABLE. Yesterday the slaughtermen employed in the freezing works in Canterbury ceased work in support of the demand of themselves and their fellow-unionists throughout New Zealand for a. killing rato of .10s per hundred, instead of tlio 25s rato provided by the Arbitration Court award under which tho men liavo been working for the last threo years. To-day 110 work will bo performed at the freezing works, and a big industry will bo paralysed until tho dispute between the men and their employers is settled Tho man in tho street will say that tlio men have struck, out lie will not bo technically correct. Tho men some time ago decided to cancel their registration under tho Arbitration Act, so that they would be free and would not bo compelled to go on under the old award until it was superseded by a fir other. A fortnight ago they gave their employers notice in accordance with clause 9 of the Act that they intended to cease work in a fortnight, and today they will bo carrying out a wellmatured intention. The man in the .street, again, will want to know how long the strike will last. That is a question to which the men' at all events can give 110 answer. The most pressing inquiries among the unionists yesterday elicited only tho fact that tho men had como out and intended to stay out until their demand was acceded to. How long that would be nobody was. prepared to conjecture. It was stated that no meeting of the Union had been convened, although it was probable that tho men, having time 011, their hands, would decide to discuss tho position. Tho employers, on the other hand, took up the philosophic attitude that , the men had ceased work and had been paid off, and that presumably the disputants would require some time to look round and decide what further course of action they would pursue. It was stated that tho companies had made no offer, other than that agreed on by the Wellington conference, namely, 275~6d a hundred, and the position was exactly as it had been at tho time of the offer, except that the men had ceased work. A question was put to a gentleman in the freezing business as to whether the farmers' sons were going to "man the boards." He laughed, and gave the non-committal reply that it was hard to say what would happen, and, in any case, a day or two would be required in which to "turn round." Discussing the position as it would be in the morning, he stated that the freezing works would be practically closed down, and the loss to everybody concerned would be enormous, as the stoppage meant the suspension of all store and export business. Thoso who had contracts to take delivery of sheep would have to do so, and this would entail the greatest hardship. There was no demonstration when the men came out, but this was not astonishing, for the men in Canterbury have shown no bitterness in the dispute, and have made no attempt to take their employers bv surprise. At Belfast they cut out all the sheep that were in the yards, and finished up about 4.30 ji'.m., a little before tl:» usual knocking off time. They took their tools away with them, and left as quietly as on an ordinary pay night. THE TROUBLE REVIEWED. HISTORY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. Very early in the new year it became apparent that there would bo somo trouble in the meat industry. It was known that the agreement under which the slaughtermen had worked for threo years would expire towards the end of the month and it was stated that the representatives of the companies and the Slaughtermen's Federation had failed to agree regarding" any new agreement. On January 4 a message from Wellington stated that the men advanced their claims for increased rates of pay last July and that tho matter had been discussed at several conferences. The demand, as far as Canterbury was concerned, was largely due to the very bad season experienced last year. Four days later it was stated that the men had served tho Gear and 'Wellington Meat Companies with notice of their intention to cease work. The notice was made in accordance with the requirements of clause 9, sub-clause 1, of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, for although the Federation and its affiliated Unions had given notice of the cancellation of registration under the Act tho cancellation had not been gazetted, and until that was done tho men made themselves liable for a fine of £25 if they <fid not fulfil legal requirements. This was the first derided step taken by the men. and they advanced as their reason for taking it tho failure which had attended their efforts to tfoeure an agreement suitable to them. They demanded an increase of'ss per 100 in the rate for killing sheep, from 20s to 30s, and an increase of 6d per head for cattle, from 2s to 2s 6d. It was stated also that the freezing companies had refused to grant a.ny increase whatever in the rato for cattle, but had expressed their willingness to compromise on the other demand and offered 27s 6d per 100. This offer was submitted to a ballot by the Federation, and although the result of that ballot has not been published, subsequent events have shown clearly that the offor was rejected. EXTENT OF THE DISPUTE. It was now apparent that the posi tion was serious, and inquiries were made as tc the probable effects should the works be closed and the number of workers who would be affected. In New Zealand, it was stated, there were about 900 slaughtermen, and it was contended that if they stopped work fully 4000 men employed in other and subsidiary branches of the industry would bo rendered idle. At the two meat works near Wellington, that is, Petone and Ngaliauranga, it was estimated that 110 fewer than 500 hands would be thrown out of work should the 130 slaughtermen engaged at the works hold to their expressed intention and cease operations. Up till this time Wellington seemed to be the storm centre, but there were signs of trouble visible in other parts of the dominion. The local companies had nothing to say officially, but it speedily became known that thev considered the present a good time for resisting the demands of the men. A suspicion that this attitude was in some measure due to the assurance of practical support from the farmers was soon amply justified, for Mr E. Jack, dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, said that the matter had been carefully considered by that body and the companies had been assured of tho support of the farmers. He added that if the companies asked for practical assistance the "armers and their sons would man the boards. Tb"ro was 110 doubt at all about the matter and the boards would he fully manned if the companies assur ed the farmers that the demands of tho men were unreasonable. The farmers felt that now was the time to stand firm. This attitude /if the Farmers' Union was brought under the notice of Mr M. J. Rcard 011, the secretary of tho Slaughtermen's Federation. "We arc not ignoring any possibility of that sort/' he replied. "The whole point of difference between us is 7 Iveetenths of a penny per head." Mr Reardon contended that amateur killing would decrease the value of the carchr.es very considerably indeed, and entail a greater loss upon the farming community than would the concession of the men's demands. FREE LABOUR SUGGESTED. On January 7 a message from Auckland expressed confidence that no trouble would he experienced there, and

llio local and South Canterbury companies still maintained an unbroken silence. There were rumours to the effect that tlio men at Belfast were divided as to tlio wisdom of ceasing work, but thero ivas no suggestion that the men as a body would reiuse to follow tlio course of action decided upon by tho Federation. During the next day or two, information was received that tho Canterbury farmers were confident that, in the event of the works closing, they could carry their sheep saicly through the autumn, as there was abundant teed, and on January 12 a message from Gisborno was published stating that at a meeting of farmers it had been decided to undertake tho shipping of moat should the men cease work. The resolution passed at that meeting road as follows: "That, in the event of a strike taking place, tho farmers recommend the freezing companies at Gisborne and Tokomaru to rely upon volunteer labour, and this meeting undertakes that all those in attendanco (about seventy) will , individually use every effort to supply suitable labour as it may be required." But this attitude on the part of farmers did not stand unchallenged. A prominent farmer in tho Wellington province stated emphatically that tho farmers would not man the boards, for tho simplo Reason that tho majority of them sympathised with tlio nxm. *Ho was disposed to blame the companies for tfio unfortunate position into which things had drifted, and in this his opinion was strongly supported by the representatives of the men, who said that, had they been ablo to deal direct with the farmers, no troublo would have arisen. In the meantime, ominous signs multiplied. In the North Island, farmers ceased to purchase stock, entries at Addington fell away enormously, and at the Oust sale on January 13 practically no business was done. Tlio works at Wellington commenced to_ slacken off, and this was taken as a sign that the movement to secure farmers to mail tho boards had not succeeded. On Jan. 15 the Gisborno men gave notice of their intention to cease woric on January 31, and on January 17 the cancellation of the registration of the New Zealand Slaughtermen's Federation, and the Auckland, Wellington, Poverty Bay, Canterbury, Otago' and Southland Unions was gazetted. At midnight tho Wellington and Canterbury agreements expired, and the unions were free to take whatever course they liked, .unrestricted by any Act. The'Tokomaru Bay works closed down on the same day, and Sir George Clifford convened" a meeting of representatives of tho various companies. THE EMPLOYERS' CONFERENCE. ' This conference was regarded as being of great importance. All the companies, with the or JNelson, were represented, arid the following official statement of the proceedings was furnished by Sir George Clifford, who presided:— - . "The conference of freezing companies have found themselves unable to recede from the liberal offer already made by them of a rise of 2s 6d per 101) carcases of sheep or lambs. There has been a steady increase since 1906 from 20s per 100, and, the present rate ol 25s per 100 seems to the conference to be adequate remuneration for the work performed. Nevertheless, to prevent dislocation of trade and the cessation of employment for the other 85 per cent of their employees, the companies are willing to meet the demand for increased wages to slaughtermen to the extent named. " The companies cannot concede the demand of the slaughtermen as to tpe further restriction of learners, which limits the number of learners to one in proportion of twenty -slaughtermen, and to only one such set of learners in one season, and moreover practically confines to one class of men the supply of such learners. This demand would automatically destroy the industry for all interested in it, whether employers or employed, within a certain period, and is, moreover, subversive or the freedom of the individual to choose his career in a free country. " Neither can the companies consent to the alteration of what are called the preference conditions" Theso have liitherto rendered it compulsory upon all slaughtermen to join the Slaughtermen's tin ion, but have also imposed upon the Union the obligation to admit air duly qualified applicants. The now demands upset this equaily-bal-anced compromise, .and cannot be accepted even in the interests ol' the workers themselves. "There are further demands as to the arrangement of the hours of work, which would dislocate the whole of the complicated machinery ■ of the larger factories. The . stipulation that . no slaughtering should commence before S a.m. would necessarily drive the work in other departments to a later hour than at present, and cannot be conceded in fairness to other workmen, nor in justice to the clients of the companids. , .t • "The companies _ now renew their former offer of an increase of to 27s 6d per 100, and have asked for a definite reply accepting the same within seven days, failing which they will consider themselves free to make such other arrangements for carrying on their business as may seem best. In a letter sent subsequently to Mr Reardon, secretary of the Slaugliteimeirs Union, the following resolution of the conference was conveyed: "That the offer of 27s 6d per 100 (plus other modifications or concessions contained in the offer as to the uoutli Island conditions) be once moro and finally offered to the slaughtermen. A reply to this offer now made by the conference of freezing companies is required within seven days from £ riclay, January 17." . On January 15 the Canterbury Union gave the companies notice that the men would cease work on January 28, and three days later the men at Timaru, Waitara and Waingawa took a similar course. A telegram from Gisborne stated that the company controlling tho last-named works had conceded the men's demands, and this news was subsequently verified. . In Canterbury other bodies besides the freezing companies had been following the trend of events closely, and on January 21 the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union passed a resolution suggesting to both parties in the dispute that it should be referred to the Council of Conciliation or to ■ arbitration, and that in the meantime work should not be interrupted. The following resolutions were passed at the meeting of the North Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Fanners' Union held next'day:— " 1. That we, the North Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, recommend thai, the freezing companies should try t.) settle the dispute- with the Slaughtermen's Union by means of mutually appointed arbitrators. " 2. That if the above course failed the freezing companies should try®to settle the matter with those members of the Slaughtermen's Union who uphold the principle of arbitration. "3. That if tho whole body of tho Slaughtermen's Union refuses to arbitrate, then we, as a .Fanners' Union for the protection of our own occupation. should ask tho freezing companies to allow us to man tlio boards with free labour." On January 22 word was received that tho butchers at the Evelyn works, near Oamaru, had given notice, and on January 24 the Touioana and Pakipaki men followed suit. It was apparent that the Unions were acting in concert and determined to stand by their demands for the ultimatum sent by the companies in conference, expired on January 24, and tlio oiler was refused. $ A day -or two later it Avas announced that, the Wellington Farmers' _ Moat Company, controlling the AYaingawa works had corae to an agreement with the men. Tho agreement is to_ remain in force for three years, anil will '(.'reliably be registered _ under the tion and Conciliation Act. The company is to pay at the rate of 30s per hundred l'ojr sheep and lambs, and 2s 6d per head for beef eattie. The men abandoned their claim regarding the number of learners, and the agreement

provides for one learner for every ten men. THE MEN AND THE COMPANIES. WHAT THE MEN DEMAND. HOURS, WAGES AND CONDITIONS. It was late last year'that the New Zealand Slaughtermen's Federation drew up a very carefully prepared statement of demands, to be submitted to the companies in all parts of New Zealand. The most important items in ilia statement deal with hours and wages. The statement aeks that the ordinary hours of work shall Iks between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on live days in the week. One hour shall bo allowed for lunch between the hours of twelve noon and 1 p.m. On Saturdays work shall commence at 8 a.m. and cease not later than twelve noon, with fifteen minutes' smoke-oh. The following rates are asked for sheep and lambs:—AH sheep and lambs not otherwise specified, -30s per ICO; double fleece sheep, 37s 6d per 100 j rams and stags other than rain Lambs, 6d each; all sheep characteristic of rams, Gd each; dead shoep or lambs, is each; no sheep or lambs to be dressed with long shanks: no daggy sheep or lambs to be killed; all sheep or lambs coming more than seven miles by road shall stand four hours before being killed; all sheep yards shall be covered for at least one day's killing, drained and built up with solid floor. The rates for cattle shall be: Bullocks and cows, 2s 6d per head<; bulls, 2s 6d per head; all bulls to be chopped and softsided, otherwise double rates he paid. For calves the rates shall be: Up to 1001b., Is Od; over 1001b and up to 2001b, 2s; over 2001b., beef rates; double rates to be paid for all Kosher stuff; all dead cattle done at the works shall be paid for at 7s 6d each. The rates for pigs shall be: Pigs up to 1001b, Is; over "1001b, Is per 100 extra for every 1001b or fraction of 1001b; pigs that have to be skinned shall be double rates on agreement prices. _ _ Tho following conditions are asked in reference to smoke-oh, overtime, and waiting time: Fifteen minutes in tlie forenoon and fifteen minutes in the afternoon shall be allowed for smokeoh. The snioke-olis shall be as nearly as possible at 9.45 in the morning and three in the afternoon. Overtime shall be paid for at the rate of rate and a half. Not more than one hour per day overtime to bo worked.. No overtime to be worked on Saturday. All overtime to be worked before 8 a.m. Should it be ■ necessary at any time to start work; after 8 a.m., waiting time shall be paid from 8 a.m. till time of starting Should the men be called out before 8 a.m. and no work provided they shall be paid overtime rate for waiting as from 7 a.m. Slaughtermen shall wait fifteen minutes in the event of a cut out, but if required to wait longer than fifteen minutes they shall be paid at the rate of 3s per hour for all time waited, the recognised dinner hour t>> be excluded. Slaughtermen shall be paid one hour waiting time when not; told the day before if they come in the morning and there is no stock. In limit sheds the minimum' on sheep and lambs shall bo twelve per hour for those capable of doing twelve. „ The conditions which it is asked shall apply in respect to learners are:—The employers may employ learners in their respective factories. Each learner shal: be provided with a hook. The hooks for learners shall be kept jseparate as far as reasonably practicable from the hooks of the slaughtermen. Learners shall be employed in such proportion to slaughtermen that there shall not be more than one learner to every twenty slaughtermen or fraction of the first twenty. No learners'shall be allowed to start while members of the union are idle. Gut-boys shall be given preference as learners. ' . . .... A learner when capable or Killing and dressing eight sheep or lambs for freezing purposes to the satisfaction of the foreman butcher, shall be classed as a competent slaughterman, and shall bo transferred from .the learners class. Not more than one set of learners shall !bo allowed to work in any one shed in anv one season. Each employer shall 1 emplov a slaughterman to teach such learners. The said slaughterman shall be a member of the Union. His remuneration shall be the average tally of the board. Learners shall be paid for the slaughtering done by them at not less than the rates specified m this agreement. Each learner must be a member of a Union affiliated with th? New Zealand Slaughtermen's Federation. „ • The Federation shall not fine or in any way penalise any member thereof for becoming a learner under the provision of this agreement or for teaching any such learner in accordance with the said provisions. Each employer shall be entitled to have one learner in-each beef slaughterhouse, and such learner shall be taken off the muttonboard. No beef butchers shall be allowed to employ labourers. ' THE TROUBLE IN 1907. STRIKE FOR 25s PER 100. Nearly six years ago the freezing trade in Canterbury was affected by a somewhat similar trouble, two hundred and sixty men employed by the Christchurch Jileat Company and the Canterbury Meat Company ceasing work to enforce a demand that the pay for slaughtering "should be increased from 20s to 25s per 100. The discontent was voiced first in Wellington, and then it moved to Canterbury, where events marched quickly, the men "going out" on February 26. A feature of the dispute was the fact that the men ignored the officials of the Slaughtermen's ' Union. The Union as an organisation did not favour a cessation of work, but its members downed tools and joined in an action which was against the spirit of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, under which the Union at. the time was registered. In 1907 the companies employed casual labour and slaughtermen's assistants to kill "potters," but the operations Avere dislocated to such an extent that the killing fell from 6000 per day to 250. Charges against the slaughtermen for breaches of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act ,were heard by the Arbitration Conrt on March 5. and on the following day Mr Justice Sim delivered his judgment, fining the men' £o each., Efforts to effect a settlement of the dispute were mado by Messrs T. H. Davey and G. Witty, members of Parliament, at first without success, but ultimately the parties were brought together, and on March 15 a settlement was arrived n't. The agreement, which was filed in the shape of an Arbitration Court agreement, set out the following rates of pay : Per 100. Potter sheep . . . 18s Preservers . . 20s Freezing sheep and lambs '2os Shop sheep . . . 2os Peranimal. Pigs up to 1001b . , 9d Pigs over 1001b . . Is Bullocks . . . . 2s Calves . . . . Is Rams .... 4d FAIRFIELD MEN CEASE WORK. The butchers at the Fairfield works were paid off last night, and in accordance with the notice previously served have ceased work. There are no further developments in regard to the position. ATTITUDE OF THE FREEZING COMPANIES. CONFERENCE TO BE HELD NEXT FRIDAY. SLAUGHTERMEN'S UNION MAKES DEFINITE MOVE. NEGOTIATIONS OPENED WITH CERTAIN COMPANIES. [Pun Press Association.] WELLINGTON., January 28. There are likely to he some developments of importance very soon in con-

nection with the slaughtering din® pute. ' Both sides now appear to be making a move, but whether it is . a move together or a move still further apart has yet to be demonstrated. On Friday another conference of re* presentatives of the meat freezing companies is to be held in Wellington, It has been convened by Sir George Clifford, and will be practically a continuation of the conference which Bat here on January 17, and issued the ultimatum to the men which expired last Friday. This week's conferencewill bo held on the same day that tha men's notice to cease work in ■ nearly all sheds will expire. ' The purpose fpf which the conference has been con* veiled is not publicly stated, but it ia surmised that delegates are being called together to review the position in the light of recent developments. The action of the men in ignoring the offer of the previous conference will have to ha discussed, while the break-away of the Wellington . Farmers' Meat Company (Waingawa) may lead: other companies to reconsider their attitude. One suggestion is that tho companies may decide to concede the men s de« mand 'for increased wages and make an agreement similar to that concluded at Waingawa last Saturday. On the other hand it is considered that the' companies will stand firm and allow tho works to be closed for the rest .of the season, in the hope of being able to make a .fresh start next year. ' . In the meantime the Slaughtermen's Federation is making a definite move. The secretary, Mr M. J. Reardon, stated to-day that he had opened up negotiations with several of the smaller companies, with a view to securing agreements similar to the one now in force at Waingawa. He was negotiating at present with those companies which were regarded as being most likely to study the interests of tho farming community. If agreements could be secured as good as that mado at Waingawa the Federation would come to terms, as there was little doubt that? the men elsewhere would be willing io work under the conditions there agreed upon.