FREEZING WORKERS' DISPUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1920, Page 7

FREEZING WORKERS' DISPUTE

Says the Dominion:—The offer made by the employers to the men in the freezing industry has been rejected definitely by the representatives of the Freezing Workers' Fedevation. The first conference failed, and another conference was opened on Friday and continued on Saturday. The federation delegates stated on Saturday that 'they would not accept the ofiur, and the proceedings terminated.

The awyrd under "which the companies are now working,took effect as from April, 1910. In February last a cost-of-living bonus of 10 per cent, for hourly workers, and 71 per cent, for piece-work-ers _ way riven by the employers. This, it is (■■■. mI, coincided exactly with tha, cost-of- ~-ing Ihonus awarded by the Arbitration Court covering the period to October Slat last, Then in October last the companies met the men's .representatives, and offered a further allround increase of 12% per cent,, making the total increase on the award rates 22$ per cent, to time workers, and 20 per cent, to piece-workers. This offer, according to the employers, was based' on the cost of living statistical information, since proved to have been on a wrong basis. In effect they contend the employees are entitled only to the bonus of 3s'per week or |d per hour recently made, or approximately 3J per cent, increase in the pay of the lowest paid rate as awarded by the court; but, seeing that the offer had been made, the representatives of the Freezing Companies decided to re-instate it. The- rates of pay actually offered by the companies and declined 'by the worker's delegates are as follows:—Mutton slaughtermen £2 2s per 100; cattle slaughtermen, 2s 4d per head; ordinary general laborers, 2s I%<l aproximately per hour or 17s 8d per day of eight hours; freezing laborers. 2s 4Jd approximately per hour. The bonus applies to all overtime worked. Briefly, it in argued, the men were entitled according to the court, to a rise of 3s per week. The companies offered them the equivalent of 10s per week, and upwards, according to the various rates of pay. The position now is serious. The sheds are idle, and the men state that if a settlement is not reached, they will not resume after the holidays. The difference between the offer of the employers and the demands made by the men is not very great, hut the companies consider that the demand is unfair, and that they cannot reasonably go further than they have done already.