THE FREEZING INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1920, Page 5

THE FREEZING INDUSTRY.

THE DISPUTE OVER WAGES. A DEADLOCK REACHED. By Tolegrijfc.—Press Asioelatlon. Ti,. * n • Wel % to ". Night. . V! e foll °wmg statement was made tolight, on behalf of the meat freezing companies.- 6 The dispute between the worker employed in the freezing industry and the companies, arising out of the question of merea.ses m the rates of pay to meet the Increased cost of living, has now reached a stage when a deadlock aeems inevitable. The award under which the industry is working came into force, so tar as rates of pay are concerned, on .April ~ 19W, and ]las e urren ty till Augus si, 1021. During last season a general increase was requested bv the executive of the federation, and the compames granted an addition to the award rates ol 7% per cent, to piece-workers and 10 per cent, to hourly and weekly men. This was aoceptßd, and work was carried on for the remainder of the season on these conditions. "The subject was again discussed on October 27, when representatives of the freezing companies and the federation met m conference, and the companies offered to increase the bonus to the full extent of the percentage Increase from April, 1910, to August, 1020, as: shown by the Government Statistician's* figures as to the increase in the cost of. living for the period in question, namely, 20.97 per cent. As a matter of fact the otter is somewhat in excess of this figore, being 20 per cent.; on piece-work rate, and 22$ per cent, on hourly and weekly rates The companies further offered to review this bonus in February and May next on the basis of the published figures then available. This offer was refused by the union officials, who stated that it had been submitted to the various districts and declined Subsequently a further conference of the freezing companies was held on November 24, when it was unanimously re■wived that the companies could not further increase the a mount ■ of- the' bonus offered although they were prepared to make it a faced rate for the remaining period ot the award, instead pf reviewing the position, M February and ,May next as suggested in the original offer.: the conference set „p a committee to !!S-r W i t &^ he matter on tW lineß an <l notified the. secretary of, the federation who has now replied that his &mmittee cannot, agree-to- meet a committee of the associated-freezing companies, as the basis of the arrangement is m wide enough.". ,