DISTANCE from markets and shipping costs had always been a problem, and the Depression years bought new ones.

CHILLED BEEF

Fierce competition, low prices and growing demand for chilled beef over the frozen product intensified the quest to overcome the problems facing chilled beef production. F.M. Bell, a wealthy grazier and spokesman for the producers said in The Courier Mail on January 15, 1934: "It is now generally known there is little demand for frozen beef. The only hope for the beef industry is to get into the chilled beef trade."

Since the 1890s many attempts had been made to export chilled beef. Despite continual improvements in techniques, the product could still not be landed in first class condition. When the Queensland Meat Industry Board (QMIB) was set up in 1931, it worked strenuously with the CSIRO to seek a solution.

By 1934, a new process had been perfected and the chilled beef export trade was established. The QMIB 1959 Year Book wrote: "The development of the new chilled beef technique was the outstanding development of the last half century".

Australian chilled beef shipments began in 1934 with 2750 tons of which 1866 tons came from Brisbane Abattoir. It reached 11,600 tons and the next year, continued to grow until the outbreak of World War 11. All meat for export was then frozen because of disruption to shipping and meat stockpiles in the expanded freezing chambers.

FEDERAL AWARD

THE industry worked only under state awards until 1932, when retail butchers and small goods factories were shifted into the federal arena. 

In 1938, country slaughterhouses, deliverymen and carters were also included. During the 50s and early 60s employers made a concerted drive to get federal coverage for all meatworkers. From 1957 until 1962 the union by industrial action, court hearings and appeals vigorously opposed this extension.

Despite its efforts, an interim award became operative on February 18, 1962. The union declared, "Queensland export meatworkers had suffered the worst wage cut in the history, of the union."        

All unions were under strong attack by employers; aided by the Menzies Government in the 1960s. The Arbitration Court has granted wide powers to fine unions and fine or jail union officials and rank-and-file workers.

Called the "Court of Pains and Penalties", it extensively used its powers.

Anger, resentment and frustration led to widespread opposition, culminating in the national strike action over the jailing of Victorian Tramway Union secretary Clarrie O'Shea in 1969.

CONTRACT SLAUGHERING

THE contract slaughtering system goes back to the days of the boiling-down works where cattle were killed for their hides and tallow-. The owner let a contract at so much a head to one or a group of slaughtermen to slaughter the cattle. The money was split up equally among the gang.

When freezing works were established, slaughtermen took the contract system with them. As the freezing industry expanded, contract prices were fixed in the preseasonal conferences between workers and employers. This continued until 1908 when Wages Boards were established by the Government to fix wages and conditions for each industry.

The development of power-driven machinery changed some of the old methods and tasks in the butchering area.

Contractors began to sublet some tasks, such as knocking down, footing off etc. Specific task duties were extended and the contract system in practice since 1914 continued until the introduction of Can Pak in 1962.

As the contract system grew, the question of tallies arose. The earliest tallies were fixed at 25 cattle a slaughterman for a day's work. An overtime clause introduced in 1909 fixed the tally at 25, paid overtime at ordinary time for more than 25 but under 30, and time-and-a quarter for more than 30.

Gradually, the tallies were based on a six-butcher gang with a day's work being 150 head, with ordinary time up to 170 head and time-and-a-quarter for all over that.

The six-butcher gang was used as the basis to form wages again until Can Pak was introduced.