NEW ZEALAND FEDERATED SLAUGHTERMEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2704, 7 January 1910, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND FEDERATED SLAUGHTERMEN.

A THREATENED STRIKE

[Pun Pj’.esh Association.! WELLINGTON, Jan. 6 The New Zealand Federated Slaughtermen, comprising between 600 ana /00 men, are demanding from employers throughout New Zealand a uni.orni rate of 25s per 300 for slaughtering, Avith an 8-hour day. Notice was served on the Wellington Meat Export Company to-day under section. 9 oi tne Arbitration Act (YA*liich requires 14 days’ notice) that the men will bfease wo’rk if their demands are not -complied Avith. • y

THE POSITION IN GISBORNE

Inquiries made locally last night elicited the information that althouga the slaughtermen of this district have given clear -indication that they are acting in unison with their co-workers throughout the Dominion, nothing in the nature of a threat or any specific demand' lias so far been given by themUnder section 9 of the Arbitration Act it is held' that the men have a right.to strike after giving the necessary notice prescribed by law. The slaughtermen’s last award has expired, and on Wednesday evening tlie local employers received formal notice from the men of their intention to have the award Avhat is technically termed “reviewed.” This is a strictly legal stop, and, so far, tlie slaughtermen of Gisborne have done no more than they have a perfect right to do under the Act. The award under Avhich the slaughtermen have been working until recently *.vas fixed by the Arbitration Court seme three years ago. and on that occasion the killing rate Avas increased from 29s to 23s per hundred. Although this award expired some little time ago, nothing has been done until the step taken by the men on Wednesday, and the rule is that an award' runs on unf’ "vHifu* party* makes application to ha A’iewed. This the local men ha and nothing more, and there . ter stands. As regards t’ ! A\orking, the local men a ing 8 hours per day, but-c'//'Ca-they may be called upon A/Ai.r longer hours if such is necessary, ivlien they receive correspondingly increased ■wages. . The matter will he considered this Aveek by the employers, and until they have met no further information is available. It is not considered likely, however, that, should the local slaughtermen demand’ 25. s per ICO for killing, and an 8-hour day. the employers will agree to their requests.