250 MEN OUT

Evening Star, Issue 19790, 14 February 1928, Page 3

250 MEN OUT

DISPUTE AT WESTFIELD FREEZING WORKS ACTION OF BUTCHERS INVOLVES SUPPORTING LABOR [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 13. Arising out of a difference of opinion regarding the classification of a sheep, and tho payment to be made for killing it, a dispute at tho Westfield Freezing Works reached a climax this morning, and about 250 men were paid off. The deadlock continued' throughout the day, and the men will meet to-morrow. Explaining the position, Mr R. D. Rogers, general manager for W. and It. Fletcher (N.Z.), Ltd., managing agents for the Westfield Freezing Co., said that on Friday the question' of the classification of one sheep arose. It was contended that the animal was a “ stag,” and that double pay should be given. The award provided that i such a dispute the foreman butcher’s decision should be final. The men would not accept that decision, whereupon the management went further by offering to let the Government veterinarian decide the question. Like tho foreman, Mr Butcher, the veterinarian, was of the opinion that the animal did not come under tho designation of “stag.” The men did not agree to accept tho decision of either of these gentlemen, and immediately adopted a “go slow ” policy, which was continued throughout the remainder of the day, Saturday, and up to this morning. . The works manager offered this morning to call in the Disputes Committee, provided for in the award, to arbitrate on the matter, but he intimated that in the meantime work would have to be continued under normal conditions, otherwise the works would bo closed. That offer was not acceptable to tho men, with tho result that they were paid off after “smoke oh” this morning. “ The action of a few butchers has I resulted in the necessity for paying off supporting labor, representing in all about 250 men,” said Mr Rogers, and the remainder, totalling about fifty, would have to go if the trouble were of any duration. An invitation to discuss tho situation from the men’s point of view was declined by Mr W. E. Sill, secretary of the Butchers’ and Slaughtermen’s Union. “The dispute is on all right, but I have nothing to say,” was his only comment.