FREEZING WORKERS CHEER UNION

Chronicle (Levin), 2 April 1947, Page 5

FREEZING WORKERS CHEER UNION

-Press Assoclation

o MEN VERY PLEASED WITH PAY INCREASES

By Telegraph —

. CHKlSTf TIURCH, April 1. A11 increase in tvages of 20 ]>er cent for all workors at tlie Christchurch citv abattoir, was given by the disputes comrnittee " under the strike and lockout emergency regulations, which sat 1 today. Slaughternien receive an increase of £1 Ss in ]iay apart from increases due to the two cost of Jiving bonuses, and niinimum wage workers formerly receiving £5 14s 21 will now receive £0 17s pJus the cost of living bonuses. The decision. or another tribunal under the sanie regulations, lixed the guaranteed niinimum weekly wage for eniployees in the C'anterlmry freezing works at £0 10s exclusive of overtiuie earnings but including the cost of living bonuses. Althougli the Conciliation and Wages Comruissioner (Mr. A. B. Tlig-gO made tlie Wision in tlie freezing workers dispute — "the members of the comniittee appointed by the JMinister of Labour pursuant to the regulations, having failed to reach an agreement upon some matters" — the decision in the abattoir dispute was made by the disputes connnittee as a wliole, Mr., Rigg presiding over representatives of tlie Citv Council and Canterbury Freezing Workers and Related Trades Union. Tlie new wages scales became effeetive as from today. "The trade considers that it cannot nbsorb any further increased costs and if any increase in killing charges is authorised bv tlie Btabilisation Comnnssion, it has every intention of taking iinniediate steps to obtain increased retail prices to cover these charges," said a statemenr issued by the l\iaster Butchers' Association. Raving agreed to a rike in wages to abattoir workers, ihe Citv Council will pay an amount to the abattoir contraetors (Messrs W. Lewis and Son), sufficient to cover the increased labour charges and also to adjust the return to the contraetors, and will applv to the Price Tribunal for authority to increase the charges for the killing of stock for the master butchers. A concerted move bv the Citv Council and Freezing Workers' Union to have all stock for domestic consuuiplion killed at the citv abattoir, is certain to be niade. About one-third of the citv's meat has been killed up to Ihe present at the Islington works of X.Z. Refrigerating Conipany but when Ihe Islington works oponed again today, seven butchers formerly employed there wero abseut. They were working at 'he abntioir at the increased rates of pay. The seven Canterbury freezing works

resumed operations today after a.stoppage since March 21. Xo departments were full staffed at tlie beginning but men who had late news of the settle-: ment of the .dispute arrived during the day. A Inisy eight to 10 weeks' killing now lie ahead at most of the works. Operations began normallv, union representatives addressing the men in Barlow's depart.ment.s during the morning, but at oue works the union meeting was first lield and cbeers were given for Ihe union for ohtaining a settlernent to the satisfaction of the workers.