SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8743, 18 February 1907, Page 2

SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE.

Per Press Association Tiharu, February 16. The Canterbury Frozen Meat Co.’a Pareora works are closed down to-day in consequence of the strike of slaughtermen’s assistants. Under tho award of the Canterbury Assistants’ Union the rate of wage is 10ad per hour, with no mention of overtime rate. About forty non-union men were employed in that capacity, and on Wednesday they gave 24 hours’ notice that unless they were paid time and a half rate after 8 hours they would cease work. The management referred them to the award and refused the demand, and yesterday they did not turn to. Arrangements were made to fill the places of a sufficient number to allow fifteen butchers to work this morning but tho latter refused to start unless a full board of 45 could start. Consequently no work could be done. All attempts to settle the difficulty so far are unavailing. The men say that they were never told and knew nothing of the award, and their responsibility under it. They deny that they have struck, but say they have simply ceased work because they are dissatisfied with tho conditions, as all other employees get extra pay for overtime. Legal proceedings are to be taken against the strikers and the Arbitration Court will sit here as soon as it is finished in Wellington. Seven to eight thousand sheep now in the paddocks at the works waiting for slaughter, are being fed with hay. Tiharu, February 18. The butchers at Pareora Freezing Works resumed work this morning, a full board of temporary slaughtermen’s assistants having been obtained. Tho butcher’s assistants who went out on strike are still standing out with one exception who took the place of one of tho temporary assistants shortly after work resumed this morning. Wellington, February 18. The Gear Company’s slaughtermen resumed work this morning and 20 extra hands, most of them employees'of Wellington Meat Export Company, were taken on. The Meat Export Company so far has not conceded the 23s demanded by its men, and the men continue out.