THE FREEZING DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 50, 23 November 1926, Page 6

THE FREEZING DISPUTE

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED REPORTED BREAKAWAY IN HAWKE’S BAY Napier, November 2'2. The Hawke's Bay freezing workers will meet again to-morrow night, and important developments are anticipated It is believed that a certain section ol the strikers are organising a breakaway from the union, and the formation of a new union. It is understood that some ot the free labourers have gone a good distance to wards forming a union, and ifg this is accomplished membership will be open to those of the present union who wish to break away. If such move is made it will probably mean an immediate settlement of the present, strike.

Similar action by Auckland watersiders in 1913 was speedily effective in settling an unpopular strike. Strikers here make no secret of their views, and opetilv assert that they are sick of not working, and resent the manncr in which idleness has been forced upon them.

ALL WORKERS CONCERNED

By Telegraph.—Press association

Wanganui, November 22. A mass meeting srf local freezing workers to-night carried a resolution endorsing the action of the Hawke s Bay workers and pledging support Union men will not answer the call when the Imlay works open to-morrow. After the meeting Mr. A McLeod, district secretary, told a reporter that the dispute was not confined to slaughtermen, but extended to all workers. Thev were more concerned with workers 'whose earnings were below the breadline than with pieceworkers, who could earn big sums in busv seasons. Quoting 1925 figures, he said the fellmongers’ average earnings were £3 15s 7d., preservers £l,3s 4d , and slaughtermen £5 Is. Id to £6 2s Last season a worker at Imlav averaged £1 2s. 3d. per week for 20 weeks. At Whakatn a worker averaged £3 17s lid. from October 21, 1925, to July (>, 1926. Assistants behind mutton butchers earned only £3 per week on account of broken time. Mr. McLeod attributed the existing situation to refusal of the employers to meet the men in conference.