DAIRY FACTORY WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 182, 19 December 1912, Page 3

DAIRY FACTORY WORKERS.

■ A RECENT INCIPIENT. STRIKE. Several weeks ago the majority of the casual hands employed in chees-c----making at- the Kaupokonui factory and branches addressed a "round robin" circular to the directors, demanding a rise in wages from £-2 5s weekly to £2 10s; otherwise they threatened to strike. After signing the circular a number of the men regretted their, action, and wrote the directors asking that their names be withdrawn from the notice. Their apology was accepted, but the whole of the rest of the employees signing the circular were dismissed. The men were met by the chairman and manager, whop ointed out that the mei' in Taranaki were getting now 3s weekly more than the Wellington award expir-' ing in a year's time, and 5s more than the last Taranaki award, which expired a year ago. It was also pointed out that several of their number had been marked off for promotion, but they had now thrown away their opportunity by disloyalty. No doubt the men were misled by one or two of their leaders, and were ill-advised in not consulting tke directors in a proper manner. , They might have known, too, that a strike to affect a dual factory is almost an impossibility, as the directors could turn to butter at a day's notice, and would then only require a total of 20 men instead of 50 while cheese-making, and the •20 men were always available, counting the managers and first and second assistants. As showing that there is no shortage of men, the company advertised for men and received over 60 applications within 48 hours; indeed, the vacancies were filled within 24 hours of insertion and practically before the men were dismissed.—Hawera Star.