FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 56, 30 November 1920, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

A DEADLOCK ANTICIPATED. The following statement was made last night.on behalf of the meat freezing com prilies:— "The dispute between workers employed in* tho freezing industry and the companies arising out of the question of increases in rates of pay to meet tho increased cost of living has now reached a stage when a deadlock seems inevitable. The award under which the industry is working came into force, so far ns rates of pay are concerned, on April 7. 1919, and lias a currency until August 31. 1921. During last season a general increase was requested by the executive' of the federation, and the companies granted an 'uddition to the award rates of 7J per cent, to pieceworkers and IIM per cent, to hourly and weekly men. This was accepted, ana work was carried on for the remainder of the season on these conditions. ■ t _ ■ The subjeot was again discussed on October 27, when the representatives of tho freezing companies and tho federation mot in conference, and the companies offered to increase the bonus to the full extent of percentage increase from April, 1919, to August, 1920, as shown 'by the Government Statistician's figures as to the increase in tho cost of living for the period in" question, viz., 20.97 per cent. As a matter of fact, the offer is somewhat in excess of this figure, being 20 per cent, on piccowork rates and 221 per cent, on hourly and weekly rates. The companies further offerod to review this bonus in February nnil May next on the basis of the published figures then available. This offer was refused by the union officials, who stated that it had been submitted to (lie various districts and declined. Subsequently a further conference of freezing companies was held on November when it was unanimously resolved that the companies could not further increase the amount of tho bonus-offered, although tliev were prepared to make it a fixed rate for tlio remaining period of the award instead of reviewing the position in February and May noxt as suggested in Hie original offer. ■ "The conference set up a committee-,to deal with the matter on these lines, and notified the secretary of the federation, who has now replied that his committee cannot agree to meet tile committee of the Associated Freezing Companies as tho basis of arrangement is not wide enough."

OPENING OF SEASON DELAYED., Bv Teleeranh—Press Asaooiation. Hastings, November 29. At ft meeting of the Ilawke's Bay Freezing Works employees on Saturday afternoon, it was resolved to adhero to the demands made regarding' bonuses, and to picket the works peacefully to-day, . so as to inform tho men coming from tho country of tho position from tho union a view-point. The Pakipaki, Tomoana, and Whakatu works did not commence slaughtering to-day as intended.