STRIKE TERMS

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21688, 26 March 1942, Page 6

STRIKE TERMS

SETTLEMENT REACHED MEN ADOPT PROPOSALS ALL BACK WITHIN 14 DAYS NO STOPPAGE IN FUTURE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Thursday The .freezing works of R. and W. Hellaby, Limited, and the Westfield Freezing Company, Limited, at Westfield carried on today with voluntary labour and some regular workers who presented themselves following the settlement of the strike yesterday afternoon, when the union accepted the terms for a resumption of work agreed upon at a conference of the employers and the Federation of Labour. There was only a limited number of regular workers, however, as notifications had gone out that the companies would notify each man as wanted within the 14 days provided in the agreement for full resumption. The managements consider that all men will be re-engaged by early next week. The full terms of the settlement were set out in a statement prepared by the employers’ and workersrepresentatives who conducted the negotiations. It states:— “With a view to bringing about normal conditions in the freezing industry, so that that industry’s vitally important contribution to New Zealand’s war effort may in future continue in harmony and without interruption, the following basis of settlement of the present dispute has been agreed to between representatives of the employers and of the Auckland Trades Council of the Federation of Labour: Without Discrimination “That having regard to the stock position and to the people at present employed in the industry being given the opportunity to continue in their employment, re-engagement in the industry of all workers will be effected as speedily as possible, without discrimination and within 14 days so as to have works operating as early as possible. “That the workers will return to work forthwith upon notification and the industry shall be carried on without interruption and smoothly with the workers at present employed, it being understood that only constitutional means of settling disputes will be adopted. “It is accepted that normal seasonal putting off of hands will not be regarded as a breach of the spirit of this agreement.” Relief at Settlement There were many expressions of relief among the men when the strike was declared settled. The proposals agreed upon at the conference were adopted by an almost unanimous vote. The dispute originated on March 12 when 350 employees of R. and W. Hellaby’s premises ceased work as a protest against the refusal of the management to permit their union delegates to discuss union membership with the 60 women recently employed at the cannery. On the following Monday 1400 employees of the Westfield Freezing Company went on strike in support of Hellaby’s men, and on Tuesday the 600 employees at the Southdown works and the King’s Wharf cool Stores of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited, also ceased operations. On the intervention of the Federation of Labour resumption of work on Thursday was agreed upon. When the workers reported at the Westfield and Hellaby premises they learned that all the hands were not to be re-engaged and a further strike developed. The Southdown and cool store employees resumed work. Following the settlement yesterday each man will be sent a telegram notifying him when to report at the works. Move for Release of Men The Federation of Labour has made a move to secure the release of the 294 freezing workers who have been sentenced to a month’s imprisonment. It has forwarded a strong recommendation to this effect to the Prime Minister. “The position is that their services are needed in the industry lo deal with essential war work in Older to get back to full production,” read a telegram from the federation last night. It added: “The employers are prepared to confirm this statement.” „ . Further batches of the 213 freezing workers sentenced to a month’s imprisonment on Monday for being party to a strike were taken to the Auckland prison yesterday. A numoer still remain to be accommodated at the gaol. „ , , An official of Hellaby’s said that to regain full production his company was confronted with serious difficulties. A large proportion of volunteers would still be required to ensure as high production as possible until the position was clarified.