WESTFIELD DISPUTE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1938, Page 8

WESTFIELD DISPUTE

SECRET BALLOT TO BE TAKEN SOME TALK OF,BREAK AWAY FROM UNION. VOLUNTEER KILLING GANGS AT WORK. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 30. A decision to hold a secret ballot to determine whether they would resume work was reached at a meeting of the Westfield freezing works’ employees, who have been on strike since Monday a clause in their agreement. A ballot as a protest against an interpretation of is to be held tomorrow. When the workers assembled at the works at 8 a.m. today, union officials reported the result of the conference held the previous day with the management of the works. Discussion developed as to what further action should be taken in consequence of the failure of the parties to reach an agreement.

Suggestions that a secret ballot be taken were opposed by union officials, according to statements made by several workers. They stated that arguments had been advanced in opposition to the proposal till it was pointed out that under the union rules it was competent for a ballot to be taken when this action was desired by a defined number of members.

Some disappointment was expressed that the ballot was not taken forthwith at the works, instead of waiting for another 24 hours. That many of the men had entertained hopes of a resumption of work being made today was indicated by the number arriving with lunch bags and cases. There was fairly general satisfaction with the decision to hold a ballot as a means of ascertaining the real majority of opinion. “Though it is true that comparatively few workers have openly opposed the decision to strike, votes at mass meetings do not show the real opinions of the majority,” said one of the men. He said the method of mass voting was a form of coercion that was difficult to combat. Workers were swayed not by feelings of loyalty or sympathy, but by reluctance to be the butt of their fellows when they went against the delegates’ recommendations.

RANK AND FILE DISSATISFIED. Another worker said the rank and file of men were dissatisfied with the handling of their affairs. “Unless somethings is done to stop those pin-pricking strikes, a move will be made to break away from the union,” stated a man who said he had nothing at stake in the dispute. He said a suggestion to establish another union for labourers and other workers not concerned with the slaughtermen’s disputes was being openly canvassed. Developments would depend largely on the result of the ballot.

During the forenoon the management organised a team of men from their works arid outdoor staff to kill and dress 1200 fat lambs that have been at the works since Monday. The company’s country buyers from various parts of the province and the works and office permanent staffs and a number of clerical workers from the firm’s Hamilton office were organized into gangs for handling lambs and loading out the remainder of the chilled beef for shipment on Saturday Killing was begun shortly before noon and continued until the normal hour of shutting down in the evening. Good progress was made in spite of the fact that the work was foreign to the experience of many of the men engaged. A gang of about 60 manned part of the ring system, which is the basi sof the dispute. The rest of the stock in hand and a few loads of pigs which arrived from the country will be handled tomorrow.

BACK TO WORK START THIS AFTERNOON. NO SECRET BALLOT TAKEN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. As a result of the decision reached at a mass meeting this morning, a majority of the 800 Westfield workers who have been idle since Monday will resume work at one o’clock this afternoon. The butchers and boners will not start until tomorrow morning, since all that those resuming this afternoon are required to do is in connection with preliminary operations. Contrary to expectations, the decision was not made by a secret ballot, but in open meeting. It was considered that a ballot was unnecessary. The meeting lasted for about half an hour. A telegram was received from the Prime Minister expressing his willingness to assist in facilitating the hearing of the dispute by constitutional means. This was received enthusiastically.