FREEZERS’ STRIKE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16780, 8 July 1922, Page 15

FREEZERS’ STRIKE.

COMPANIES' OFFER TO MEN The four local freezing companies make the following announcement : “Xow that the Arbitration Court has given its* ruling in connection, with the os bonus reduction by converting it into a percentage reduction and in so doing has removed any doubt which may have existed as to the application of the reduction to the freezing industry, the companies wish to inform their late employees, many of whom ■have been in their regular employment for many years past, that they are stib . willing to re-engage men who are pre- ; : pared to accept work according to the Arbitration Court’s award. It must, however, be underfoot that the action of the men who withheld their labour without notice resulted in a stoppage of work, and the companies were therefore obliged to engage other labour which will ho retained, tvitli the result that they cajinot reengage all their late employees. “In making this advance, the com- . v panics realise that it will possibly be used bv those who hav* been responsible for the present state of affairs. The romparies are, however. prepared to take this risk as thev realise that many of those who wen responsible have now lost their influ once with the genuine worker in the industry or are now either otherwise employed or have ceased to be resident in the Dominion. “ This step is taken by the companies as they wish to protect as far as possible those who have, in their opinion been misled into their present unemployment, and they are therefore prepared to make every effort to absorb as many as possible of their late employees who apply to their respective works on Monday. July 10.” IN THE SOUTH. STRIKE MAY COLLAPSE. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, July 8. It appears to bo likely that the strike of slaughteimen will fizzle out. The pickets were not present at Burnside on Thursday and Friday, and it is thought likely that a number of strikers will accept the company’s intimation that it will engage union labour on Monday on the award terms. As, however, the company’s manifesto indicates that in engaging labour regular men will not be sacrificed-, all the late employees cannot be> re-engaged.

WILL MEN CO BACK ON MONDAY? 'I he offer of the companies to take men back at award rates is expected to be largely availed ot on Monday, but the position of the companies v> that tiier already have a. large number oi men working, and will probably not be able to find work for all the hands previously employed. Mr O. Kills, secretary of the Canterbury Union, is in Dunedin, and it i> not known when lie will return. The attitude of the local union is said to be dependent on the action of the Otago and Southland men, who have also been invited to return to work.