FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 55, 29 November 1926, Page 10

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

THE POSITION LOCALLY CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY As an outcome of the letter sent by Mr. J. Milne, acting on behalf of the freezing companies and farmers’ organisations, which met in Wellington on Thursday, to the New Zealand Freezing Works and Related Trades Industrial Association, the secretary of that bodv (Mr. 11. C. Revell) stated on Saturday that preliminary negotiations had been concluded for the holding of a conference of all parties concerned on Wednesday morning next. STATEMENT BY MR. MILNE The employers’ representatives, said Mr. Milne, in a statement yesterday, have made it quite clear that they cannot recede from their attitude in respect of the union’s claim for a general increase in rates of pay, and tlieir offer to refer this and any other matters to the Arbitration Court is contingent on the manning of the works immediately. During the last few days statements have appeared in the Press endeavouring to prove that the wages earned in the industry are much below the average of other trades. This is not the case. The rates of pay compare favourably with rates in other awards, notwithstanding the seasonal nature of the employment. The lowest paid rate is 2s. per hour, which is 2d per hour above the Court’s basic rate. The award at present in force was first formulated by the Arbitration Court in 1921, when Mr. M. J. Reardon, a former Freezing Union secretary, was one of the assessors, and while Mr. Reardon’s intimate knowledge of the details of the industry was most valuable in drawing up the award, the unions lost nothing from the fact that their former secretary was an assessor. Since then there have been two renewals of the award, and, with the exception of some minor alterations, the conditions have remained the same.

In connection with rates of. pay, increases have been granted from time to time, the last increase being given by the Court in 1924, when the minimum rate was raised to 2s. per hour. In its memorandum to the award the Court referred to the increase, giving as its reason the “ca’sual nature of the employment.” In September, 1925, the Court decided to increase its basic rate from Is. 9d. to Is. 10d., and in its pronouncement specifically referred to freezing workers as having already participated in this advance. The unions, however, felt that they were entitled to a further increase, and asked the freezing companies to join with them in approaching the Court for a general increase. The companies could not justify such a course, and matters remained in abeyance until January last, when the slaughtermen in the Canterbury works endeavoured, without success, by goslow tactics, to compel the companies to grant an increase. From the records which the companies possess, the earnings quoted in the newspapers appear to be isolated cases. Average earnings for the season, taken from the records of several works, show the following:— Slaughterhouse assistants, per week, £4 Ils. 4d.; offal house, £4 10s. Bd.; freezing chambers, £5 17s. 4d.; fellmongerv, £5 4s. 2d.; tallow, manure, £4 16 s. Bd.; yard labourers, £4 10s. lOd.; preserving department, £4 Os. 6d.; hide department, £4 15s. There may be instances where men have earned considerably less than the figures quoted above, but an investigation of such cases will, no doubt, show that the cause was ont'side the control of the company, although, perhaps, not altogether beyond the ability of the individual to rectify. The present position of the industry, and, in fact, of the country generally, is such as to indicate that no further increases in wages will be possible; in fact, it will be difficult to maintain rates of pay at their present standard. GOOD WORK BY VOLUNTEERS AT FEILDING Dominion Special. Feilding, November 28. The management at the Feilding freezing works continues to be extremely satisfied at the manner with which' volunteer butchers are tackling the job. The men have started on lambs, and it is expected that additional butchers will be put on the “boards” on Monday. Local unionists express the opinion that they would go to work at once if they were allowed by the freezing authorities, v.l>o will not accept any union men for employment until the desire for work is unanimous. Sb long as the butchers hold out against the existing award it stems' | fairly evident that the willing rcen will not be able to work unless something

unforseen happens. However, the adaptability of the volunteer butchers has relieved the worry of the directors of the company, and it is confidently expected that even when the rush of lambs arrive the new butchers will be capable of meeting the position.

LONGBURN WORKERS CONFER

Dominion Special.

Palmerston North, November 28.

A meeting of the Longburu Freezing Workers’ Union was held in Palmerston to-dav and lasted about two and a half hours'. No information was made available to the Press, but as an outcome of the meeting the president (Mr. F Carpenter) and the secretary left shortlv afterwards for Napier to confer with 'the workers there. A furt.ter meeting of union members v.as 11 It this evening. A PROBABLE NEW UNION AT IMLAY Dominion Special. Wanganui, November 27. One of the butchers employed at the Imlav works stated that next wee!: a move would be made to establish a ut w union locally. It is understood that if the unionist butchers do decide to .e--turn a promise has been made to the butchers at present on the board that their services will still be retained. One basis of the new union will be a secret ballot to decide all matters of importance. _ GISBORNE VOLUNTERS JOIN UNION BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION Gisborne, November 27. An important development at both the local freezing works ts that the whole of the volunteer staffs have joined the existing Freezing Workers Union. This completely alters the whole position, as the works are now entirelv manned with union workers. The operations are proceeding most satisfactorily and all the stock coming forward is being dealt with. A meeting of farmers at lolaga Bay resulted in 'the formation of adequate organisation to staff the .works at Tokomaru Bay for the opening on December 6.