Ban On New Fire Station Lifted

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 12

Ban On New Fire Station Lifted

The black ban imposed on the new Central Fire Station site by the Christchurch Fire Brigadesmen’s Union on May 14 was lifted on Saturday morning At the same time the union also lifted a ban on officers and men of the union carrying out routine duties at all fire rations, other than answering fire calls. The latter Oan was imposed on Friday at 2 40 pm. after a fireman was suspended for refusing to carry out an order from an officer to cut back bushes at Kilmore street site. The fireman claimed that as the site had been declared black by the union he could not carryout the order The ban on the site of the new fire station had been in operation since May 14 when there were disputes be'ween the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board and the unions over single men's accommodation and drying facilities tor married couples’ washing at the new station At that time the union also decided to refuse to carry out

watchroom duties at the old Central Fire Station in Lichfield street, but this ban was lifted before being enforced. On Saturday morning a special meeting of the union, attended by representatives of the district council of the Federation of Labour— Messrs F L Langley (chairman!. H Pitcairn and F E McNulty—decided that the men should return to carrying out routine duties a: all fire stations if the suspended fireman was reinstated It also decided that to facilitate negotiations as requested by the Fire Board the union would lift the ban on the new station and that a deputation of the union and members of the FOL should meet the board on Wednesday as arranged to discuss the matter of accommoda ion at the new fire station The chairman of the Fire Board (Mr W R. Campbel!) said yesterday that he was pleased with the decision of the firemen to return to carrying out normal duties He said that the suspended firemar had been reinstated when the board heard of the!

I union's decision to lift the ban He said that the district council of the Federation of Labour or any other organisation was welcome to investigate living conditions at the new’ station.