FREEZER STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26639, 9 December 1947, Page 4

FREEZER STRIKE

WORKS NOW IDLE DISMISSAL OF HANDS PROTEST BY STAFF P.A. AUCKLAND, Dec. 8. Practically all workers employed at the freezing works of R. and W. Hellaby, Ltd., at Otahuhu went on strike at noon to-day as a protest against the dismissal last week of 40 chamber hands, who refused to load unboned bobby calves for export. It is understood' that the decision, which went to the ballot, was carried by a narrow majority. For the remainder of the day the works were completely idle. The handling of all stock for export has been brought to a standstill, but’supplies for local deliveries are not likely to be immediately affected. The repercussions of the strike decision on the export trade are likely to be serious. December is the peak month for lamb killings, and ships are ready to take away these and other exports. From now until February is one of the busiest shipping periods of the year, when every effort is made to keep produce moving through from the country to the wharves and when any setback is likely to have the maximum effects. f

A statement issued by the company said the'issue arose from the questiou of the loading out of a shipment to the United Kingdom of approximately 4000 carcasses of bobby veal. These carcasses had been frozen unboned during the dispute in August, which affected all the works in Auckland. The company * had now been directed to ship carcasses in their present condition, but the freezer men refused to load them out. The management, after discussing the issue fully with the men’s delegates at the works and after the men had finally refused to load, had no option but to terminate the services of more than 40 hands \vho had persistently declined to carry out their orders.

The strike action adds further difficulties to an industry which,, since May, has been hindered by the “goslow” policy of the beef butchers at the five freezing works in the Auckland province. No solution has yet been found for this 1 problem. Exporters are unable to operate extensively, and where large yardings in excess of local requirements are penned the market is adversely affected.