STRIKE OF SLAUGHTERMEN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8357, 13 February 1907, Page 5

STRIKE OF SLAUGHTERMEN.

By Telegraph —Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 12. A serious crisis was reached this morning,, following on negotiations that have* been iri progress for nearly i three weeks, between the Wellington Slaughtermen's Industrial Union of Workers and the Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing' Company, Ltd., and the Wellington Meat Export Company, Ltd., regarding wages and conditions of work. About 56 men at the Gear Company's Petone Works and 60 men at the Ngahauranga works, engaged in the duties of sheep-butchering, are practically "on strike." The application of that term, however, is objected to by the men, but the fact remains that at the busiest season of the year, when the slaughterman's harvest is to be reaped, some 120 men engaged in the industry up to yesterday have suddenly ceased work. It is stated thai! if the strike or cessation of. work continues some . 500 men will be affected—many being engaged in subsequent operations in the works. Mr A. H. Cooper, Secretary to the Butchers' Union, says that he did not know the men intended to leave their.work. The Union met on Monday evening to consider the employers' replies to certain claims, and the replies were conside»red unsatisfactory. The men were not prepared to wait for the Arbitration Court to settle the matter because the season will be over before the Court sits. A motion was carried unanimously that the Secretary take the necessary steps to cancel the registration of the Union under the Arbitration Act, so as to give the men a legal right to strike. Mr Cooper says one of the men's claims is for payment for waiting time, which, at times, amounts to half an hour or threequarters of an hour. The men get employment only for about seven months in the year. Mr Cooper adds that a few years ago the men were earning£6 or £7 a week, but now the average rate for the twelve months is considerably less than the ordinary labourer would earn. I On the other hand one employer asserts that, working frpm 7 a.m. till 10 p.m., with time off for three meals, the men could earn £6 to £7 per week for six months yearly, and they could then go to Australia and find the season there waiting. Mr Mackay, Chief Clerk of the Labour Department, sent an Inspector of Awards to point out to the men their position in the face of the law, and to counsel pacific measures.

CABLE 'NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright,