Firemen In Wellington Back On Full Duties

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29713, 5 January 1962, Page 10

Firemen In Wellington Back On Full Duties

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 4.

Firemen of the Wellington Fire Brigade returned to work this morning not because of the threat of dismissal but in the interests of the citizens of Wellington and their families, the secretary of the Wellington Fire Brigades’ Union (Mr T. M. Hill) said today.

The firemen have been on partial strike since December

27. “We are far from satisfied that the incident which provoked the men’s refusal to perform normal duties—the dismissal of a member of the brigade—has been fairly resolved, but, in spite of the impression the employers may try to create, firemen are deeply conscious of their responsibilities in the protection of the lives and interests of citizens and their families,” said Mr Hill.

“This responsibility will never be neglected. It should be emphasised that, throughout this dispute, the firemen have been ready, as always, to fight fires. Indeed, the brigade has been having a particularly busy time because of the dry season.” Mr Hill said it was for the purpose of securing a fair hearing In the particular case under discussion that the union asked at the outset for an inquiry to be conducted so that all the facts could be ascertained. A serious conflict in the evidence was clearly apparent. “This inquiry was refused out of hand by the employers. In consequence the men felt, and still feel, that all the facts of the dispute have not been properly examined.”

The fireman in question had been accused of various breaches. If those were sustained the union would have no hesitation in upholding the dismissal. But it was not accepted, failing an inquiry, that they would be sustained.

“However,” raid Mr Hill, “the man concerned personally contacted me last night to say that he did not desire the matter to be taken to the point where the safety and well-being of Wellington citizens and children might be endangered. Therefore, while not accepting the validity of the charges unless they are proved by an inquiry, the brigadesmen. at my personal request, have resumed duty,” he said. Officers’ Circular Details of what allegedly gave rise to the partial strike are given in an open circular from the Wellington Fire Brigade Officers' Industrial Union of Workers to all fire brigade officers throughout New Zealand. Issued under the name of the officers’ union secretary (Mr J. R. Scott) the circular says:— “On December 24, 1961, a fireman from the Central Fire Station, Wellington, was observed by an off-duty officer coming from a hotel with bottled liquor. Some 10 minutes later the same officer, who responded to a fire call, observed the fireman concerned behind the Wheel of a fire appliance. “Subsequent inquiries revealed the fireman was supposed to be on duty that day. The matter was reported to the Chief Fire Officer who requested the duty officer to have the fireman appear before him. When found after some difficulty, he was with another fireman on the station drinking liquor. Both firemen were brought before the Chief Fire Officer and suspended forthwith. The fireman who was observed coming from the hotel requested permission to resign, and this was granted. “The same firemen immediately went to the officers’ office and said ‘Who was the b who potted me.’ The officer concerned responded and was assaulted by the fireman physically.” The circular says that officers of the fire service would realise that without the permission of the Chief Fire Officer, absence without leave, bringing liquor on to a fire station and consuming it on a fire station, were in themselves three serious charges.

“However, assaulting an officer is one of the most serious charges that can be brought against any person in the fire service.”

The circular says: “On December 27, 1961, the president

of the Wellington Firemen’s Union, with the fireman concerned in the alleged assault, had informed the Chief Fire Officer that there would not be a question of resignation.”

“The fireman had been dismissed and the president had informed the Chief Fire Officer there would be a partial strike, that is, firemen would respond to fire calls but would not do any routine work. "Members of this union have refused to do any work normally done by firemen. This was conveyed to the Chief Fire Officer by our president on December 29, 1961, when it was suggested our members should do certain work. “Our members have manned the watch room as the whole of the 111 system for a radius of 40 miles operates through this watch room.” Points From Meeting

The circular says: “Our members held a meeting and decided to wait on the Wellington Fire Board and inform them as follows: “1. It is the view of this union that the principle on which this strike is based (assaulting an officer) creates a very dangerous precedent in the fire service, and in view of this the union requests the board to take a firm stand on this matter. “2. The union had heard that a possible settlement of the dispute could be reached if the offending fireman was reinstated. Under no circum-

stances will any officer work with the fireman in question, and his reinstatement would result in the resignation of officers of the Wellington Fire Brigade. “3. Union members would not undertake routine work normally performed by firemen. If ordered to do so by superior officers they would do so pending a meeting of the union which would be called forthwith to consider the matter. Any question of which was routine work would be determined by the president of the union and the Chief Fire Officer, and individual officers would not have the responsibility of determining this matter. ‘‘4. Officers of the Wellington Fire Brigade, being gravely concerned about the nature of the strike, suggest to the board that firemen on strike be given an ultimatum that they return to work within a specified period or their services be dispensed with. If this is not accepted, the officers will assist the board in completely reforming the Wellington Fire Brigade in the interests of ensuring the public they will obtain the protection to which they were entitled to at all times.” Yesterday a notice was posted at each of the seven stations saying the Wellington Fire Board had decided to dispense with the services of any man who would not start routine work this morning.