FULL DUTY RESUMED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29829, 23 May 1962, Page 4

FULL DUTY RESUMED

City Firemen’s Decision Officers and men of the Christchurch Fire Brigade resumed routine duties from 1 p.m. yesterday after a special general meeting of the Christchurch Fire Brigadesmen’s Union in the morning. Since last Friday the men had refused to carry out routine duties other than those of fire-fighting. The Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board had given the men until 8.15 a.m. today to resume normal work, otherwise their pay would have been cut by 25 per cent. Mr G. G. Walker, secretary of the union, said that the national secretary of the unions’ federation (Mr T. M Hill) was negotiating with national officers of the employers on the overtime payments for the duty officer, which had been one of the issues in the dispute. “To show that the union is not going to unreasonably hold up a settlement, it has been decided to return to work immediately,” he said.

Mr Walker said the union had also decided that a dispute on matters concerning the new central fire station in Kilmore street, including the accommodation for single men, should be handled by ■the full executive of the local union.

By their decision the men had shown a sense of responsibility and co-operation which he appreciated, said Mr W. R. Campbell, chairman of the board. He was confident that their resumption of normal work before the deadline for a pay cut would make a favourable impression on the board.