THE SLAUGHTERMEN’S DEMANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2705, 8 January 1910, Page 4

THE SLAUGHTERMEN’S DEMANDS.

THE THREATENED STRIKE. fPicn PitKsa Association.l WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. The position concerning the demands of the slaughtermen is considered serious. It seems t/li&t- the men’s Federation, which came into existence last August, fired a shot which may lead to the greatest strike of the slaughtermen througnout the Deminion. 0 From inquiries made amongst the men concerned, it appears that on Wednesday simultaneous action was taken by all the affiliated unions, and practically every big killing house throughout New Zealand, with the exception of the Wellington houses, vas served with a notice asking for a new agreement, raising the killing rate oi riieep and lambs all round to a minimum of 25.5 per 100, and for a minimum 8-hour working day. -4. t the present time some slaughtering sheds have a right to work nine hours a day at; ordinary rates throughout the whole time. * The Federation now wants overtime for any period worked in excels of eight hours. There aie between 600 "and 700 slaughtermen belonging to the Federation, and the highest rate naid is 23s per 100. In all about 140 slaughtermen ore affected in "Wellington. 80 at the Gear Meat Company’s works and 60 at the Meat Export Company’s works. Some sheds only pay 23s for sheep killed for local consumption and export, 18s and 20s per 100 being paid when sheep and lambs are killed lor boiling down. The reason for this reduction is that “potters” do not require the same amount of care as carcases for export. In "Wellington, however, the position is entirely different, a more acute stage having arisen here than in other places; Wheiy the agreement which is being complied with at present was made in June last, the Gear Meat Company and Wellington Meat Export Company opened up negotiations with the union with a view to a new agreement being drawn up. The union offered again to sign the expired agreement, and this offer was kept open ror three months. There were various conferences between the men and the companies, but negotiations fell through owing, the men state, to the companies’ attitude in regard to the question of hours and other conditions, apart entirely from the question of remuneration. The next move came by the employers, who put the matter in the hands of the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr Hally, asking him to sit, under the machinery qf the ISOS amendment to the Arbitration Act. The men took umbrage at this. They withdrew their previous offers, and stood out for 25s_per 100 and an eight hour day. Mr Hally endeavored to make the slaughtermen appoint assessors, but the union refused, holding that they had a right to choose tlicir own weapons of defence, seeing that the fight was fought upon deliberation. A letter has been sent notifying the Meat Import Company of the men’s intention to strike.

A CONCILIATION COUNCIL TO BE SET UP.

In reference to the slaughtermen’s trouble it- has been decided to set up a council of conciliation to make recommendations by which, it is hoped, a settlement may be arrived at. The Slaughtermen’s Federation having failed to appoint two assessors to represent it on the Council, Mr Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, will, in accordance with the provisions of tlie. Arbitration Act, appoint two persons to act for the Federation on the Council. The Council will be set up t-o-morrow and will almost immediately proceed to consider tlie dispute. The Gear Meat Company has offered to increase the slaughtering rate to 94s per hundred, but the men refuse to accept this. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 7. Representatives of the local freezing company and other butchering businesses will meet on Tuesday next- to discuss the demands made by the New Zealand Federated Slaughtermen. THE POSITION IN GISBORNE. The position locally remains practically unchanged from that mentioned in the last issue of the “Times.” In all probability there will be a conference to-day between the representatives of the local freezing companies and; the slaughtermen, the management having expressed their perfect readiness to meet the men and hear the reasons for their demands. The men have requested an answer from their employers by Monday, and should tlieir requests not be acceded to, the position will probably be referred to tlie executive in Wellington, who will then issue instructions as to the combined action to betaken by the men. In tlie event of a general strike, which is not considered to lie probable, between 300 and 400 men would be affected in Gisborne. In conversation with a “Times” representative yesterday - one of the slaughter in on employed at the local works said that although the works were open from October until Julv itwas not until well after Christmas that they were working full time, and even then the men considered themselves fortunate if they got an unbroken run of 4 or 5 -weeks. Although at times they made fair wages, still he did not think that taken all the year round the wages earned would exceed £2 per week. Then again, although the local slaughtermen got a slightly better run than those in most other nlaces, the higher cast of living here had to he considered, and in his opinion the present rate of par did not provide the men with a sufficient living wage.