GO-SLOW TACTICS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20426, 17 February 1938, Page 2

GO-SLOW TACTICS

MEAT WORKS DISPUTE SLAUGHTERING HELD UP (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday Because the men working on the slaughtering chain at the Belfast works of Thomas Borthwick and Sons (Australasia.. Limited, adopted “go-slow” tactics, killing at the works ceased this morning. The consequence was that carcases arrived at the weighing scale only partly dressed and some actually with the skins left on. Up to 8.45 a.m. 332 carcases went down the chain, 86 arriving at the scale undressed or unskinned. In these circumstances, according to officials of the company, it was impossible to carry on killing and the men refused to work to normal capacity. The company, therefore, had to cease work altogether and turn the live stock into the holding paddocks. The secretary 0 f the,South Island Freezing Association, Mr C. G. Wilkins. said the action of the men was the result of their objecting to the refusal of the company to reinstate' a foreman, who was on the permanent salaried staff and who was recently dismissed. Union's Version The secretary of the Canterbury Freezing Workers' Union. Mr H. G. Kilpatrick, said that the company had stopped chains frbm working bp’ratisp they were not functioning normally. Mr Kilpatrick said he had received advice from Wellington that the conciliation commissioner. Mr M. J. Reardon, would visit Christchurch to-mor-row morning to attend an inquiry to be held at the works. The union and the company would be represented at the Inquiry. It is believed that the men made preparations for a stay-in strike tonight. They had bedding at the works, but eventually changed their plans and left the works at 5.30 p.m.