EMPLOYERS WILL NOT CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18016, 29 November 1926, Page 5

EMPLOYERS WILL NOT CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 29. “The freezing employers,” said Mr J. Milne, in a statement yesterday, “have made it quite clear that they canont recede from their attitude in respect of the union’s claims for a general increase in the rates of pay, and their offer to refer this and any other matters to the Arbitration Court is contingent on the manning of the works immediately.” He answers statements in the Press in regard to earnings and says that from the records the companies possess the average earnings show the following:— Slaughter-house assistants, £4 11s 4d. Offal house, £4 10s Bd. Freezing chambers, £0 17s 4d. Fellmongery. £5 4s 2d. Tallow and manure, £4 10s Sd. Yard labourers, £4 10s. Preserving department. £4 6s 6d. Hide department, £4 15s, The earnings quoted in the newspapers appear to be isolated cases. “The present position of the industry and the country generally,” he said, “is such as to indicate that no. further increases in wages will be possible; in fact, it will be difficult to maintain the rates of pay at the present stand ard.”