DAIRY FACTORY LABOUR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8949, 15 October 1907, Page 3

DAIRY FACTORY LABOUR.

An important meeting of delegates [ from tho Wnirarapa Dairy Companies - wis held in the Council Chambers, Cart terton, yesterday, tho business of which was to consider tho claims of "The Wellington Butter, Creamery, and Cheese Factories Employees' Industrial Union of Workers." I The following companies wore represented, viz :—Feathcrston, (Sreytown, Dalefield, Parkvalo, Aliiarulie, Belvedere, Taratahi, Kaituna, Kongohokako, Nireaba, all of which aro manufacturer's of cheese only. The chairman of tho Mauricovillo Dairy Company (butter manufacturers), and Mr Harkness, secretory National Dairy Association, were also present. The Evening Test's special reporter states that Mr W. Fisher, chairman of tho Taratahi Company, who was in tho chair, said the factory employees in the Wairarapa were at the present timo perfectly content with their rate of wages, and tiio time allowed off every week. A union had been formed in tho Taranaki district, but the present demands of tho Wellington Union were far in excess of those in force in Taranaki, and if acceded to would compol small factories to close down and curtail the business of the other factories. It was absolutely necessary to classify the factories fn accordance with tho volu:uo of tho output. Tho National Dairy Association had been registered as an employers' union, and would be prepared to meet the Employees' Union to consider the proposals. After considerable discussion, a committee was set up to forthwith draw up a scale of wages and classify factories. The committee's report was at a later : stage submitted to the meeting and adopted. The factories were olassed as " First," " Second," and '< Third " grades, " First " would include factories whose output was 201 tons and upwards; *' Second," 101 to 200 tons ; and " Third " up . to 100 tons. The rates of wages will not ] bo made public until the meeting with the union of workers takes place. A similar meeting to the 0'.'.0 held in Carterton, but of delegates <,f butyar companies, will shortly bo hold at Pal- ' merston North to formulate a senio of wages for butter and creamery hgvnite. When this is done, meetings with the employees \vi\\ ho held.with a view to coming to an agreement outside of the ( Conciliation Board. k