FREEZING WORKS “STAY-IN”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 333, 14 January 1937, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS “STAY-IN”

ACTION BY WORKERS AWARD DISPLEASES Remarkable Tactics Of Auckland Unionists. Press Association—Copyright. Auckland, Last Night. About 1000 men employed at the Southdown, Westfield and King’s wharf freezing works decided to-day upon a “stay-in” policy as a protest against their working conditions and wages. They claim that they are entitled to a 40-hour week and a minimum wage for centain classes of workers who at present receive considerably below the standard set by the basic wage. A representative of the men said to-night that they were determined to stay where they were until they received an offer of improved conditions from the employers. Both the Southdown and Westfield works were quietly picketed by men. Som e men rigged bunks but the majority preferred to play caTds. All expressed their determination to see the dispute through. The more youthful seemed to regard the whole business as an adventure. Secretary’s The secretary of the Auckland Freezing Workers’ Unjon, Mr. W. E. Sill, said that the promised conference -with the Minister of Labour had, been held in Wellington last week and it had proved abortive. “On Monday the men decided to revert to a ‘go-slow’ policy,” said Mr. Sill, “and th* respective works managements immediately gave notice that unless the normal speed of working was resumed on Tuesday morning all the men concerned in go-slow operations wo.ill be summarily dismissed.” To-day the men held a conference and decided to adhere to the go-slow policy. If the employers’ dismissed any workers then all would refuse to leave the premises. At the Southdown works at 1 p.m. when the “goslow” was continued, the management ordered work to cease and dismissed all the slaughtermen and allied! workers. At Westfield work was also stopped and wages paid to date but the men remained. The victualling of all those involved in the “stay-in” has been organised completely. At King’s Wharf. After attending a stopwork meeting of all feezing workers in the morning the' men began work at 1 o’clock and stopped at 4 p.m. Preparations were then made for staying the night at the works. A large number of men went home for meals and to secure food and blankets for the night, but about 30 had their meals in the lunch room, using urns there to make cups of tea. By nine o’clock practically every man had returned to the works and the lunch room was crowded. The name of each man was taken ,and with the windows open and a large suction fan keeping the air fresh they settled down for the night. Better Conditions Wanted. “We are staying here until be we receive improved conditions,” stated several of the workers at the Westfield and * Southdown works. The men emphasised the point that they were not on strike. “We have been paid off by the employers but we are going to remain here until either they or the Government intervene and promise a review of the award.’’ Pivotal men at the works who are engaged in maintaining essential services are not involved in the dispute. Engineers and fitters and employees in attendance on refrigerating and other plant are remaining on duty. Late to-day the cleaning up and /loading at the works was completed by staff employees at West- 1 field. There was no interruption with work in the preserving department, which is mainly staffed by female labour. 1