Firemen Told To Resume Full Duty

Press, Volume C, Issue 29712, 4 January 1962, Page 3

Firemen Told To Resume Full Duty

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 3. Some 60 Wellington fire brigadesmen are to be dismissed unless they resume normal duties by 8.30 a.m. tomorrow. Since last Wednesday they have attended fires but they have refused to carry out equipment maintenance as a protest against the dismissal of a union member. In a notice posted on the boards at Wellington’s seven fire stations today, the Wellington Fire Board expressed its concern that the men’s action had resulted in potential serious deterioration of fire-fighting apparatus. It also warned of likely dismissals. A secret ballot among members of the Wellington Fire Brigades’ Union at the week-end voted by a small margin for continued refusal of maintenance duties. Should the men persist in their stand, the dismissals would take effect after 24 hours’ notice. Wellington’s fire services would then be in the hands of 31 officers —who are not union members —some 20 volunteers attached to the Johnsonville brigade, and auxiliary firemen.

It is believed the board's decision leading to the notice today was reached at a special meeting yesterday afternoon.