TEMPORARY HOLDUP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1939, Page 6

TEMPORARY HOLDUP

STOPPAGE AT WESTFIELD WORKS DISPUTE BETWEEN SECTIONS OF EMPLOYEES. NOT WITHIN PROVINCE OF MANAGEMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 7. A stoppage of operations on the mutton floor of the Westfield freezing works between 10 a.m. and noon and a complete cessation of work, involving fully 1000 employees, for an hour in the afternoon resulted today from a dispute concerning mutton slaughtermen and labourers. The holdup of work embarrassed the management, which stated that it was not concerned in the differences, though it was approached by a deputation and the union secretary, Mr W. E. Sill, when the issues between the workers could not be adjusted. At the usual break for “smoko” at 10 o’clock the mutton butchers were called to a meeting by Mr Sill. Their discussions extended till 11 o’clock and when the slaughtermen, numbering about 100, returned to their department to resume work the labourers expressed resentment at the loss of time. They declined to start work till they received assurances that they would be paid for the loss of wages, pointing out that they were, on hourly rates and could only receive remuneration for actual working time.' The slaughtermen are employed on piece-work rates. Representations were made to the management which stated that as the responsibility for the stoppage of work rested with the workers themselves any consequential loss of wages was beyond the employers’ province to adjust. No progress was made and slaughtering on the mutton chains had not been resumed at the lunch interval at noon. Only the workers handling mutton were involved in the stoppage up to this stage, the total number concerned being just over 150 men. During the lunch hour it was decided to submit the issues to a mass meeting of employees and all departments, excepting portion of the cannery, were idle till 2 o’clock. A deputation from the meeting interviewed the management and requested that it consent to paying the labourers for the time they were standing by in the morning. This was not granted, the officials pointing out that work was waiting for all hands.

The mass meeting decided to resume work and to leave consideration of the issues to the union executive. The possibility of a test claim being made has been discussed.