STOPPAGE OF WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1941, Page 7

STOPPAGE OF WORK

FREEZING WORKS. DISPUTE NUMBER OF MEN PAID OFF. NEGOTIATIONS FOR SETTLEMENT (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 9.

' A dispute between employees in the meat preserving department at the Westfield freezing works and the management today resulted in a stoppage of work in that department about 10.30 a.m. Efforts to compose the differences proved unsuccessful and shortly after 2 p.m. work ceased iii all other departments and the employees, numbering about .1400, held a meeting. The works were idle for the remainder of the day. At the instance of the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, who was advised of the position by telegraph, Mr C. L. Hunter, Conciliation , Commissioner, who was in Auckland, went Io the works in the afternoon and conducted negotiations. A report of the deliberations will be put before a mass meeting of employees tomorrow morning. An official statement issued by the management stated: "A stoppage of work occurred today in consequence of a decision by a section of male employees in the meat preserving department to limit the output of the plant. The decision was unacceptable to the management', and a number of men were paid off. In consequence of this the employees in the department, numbering about 385, stopped work. Efforts to settle the dispute were unsuccessful, and at about 2 p.m. a general meeting of all employees at the works was called. This involved cessation »f work in all departments, and affected about 1400 employees.”

Representatives of the employees in the preserving department staled they had objected to a speeding up of operations. The management had ordered an increase in output, claiming it' was a war measure.

"The employees contended that the working of the plant at its increased output would impose harsh working conditions on the staff, and specially women and girls, of whom there are about 200 engaged in the cannery,” said the representative. "When six of the men protested and said they would work to normal output they were sacked.”

Mr Hunter' expressed the hope that the dispute would be settled tomorrow.