Firemen To Share Beds, Board Rules

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29854, 21 June 1962, Page 13

Firemen To Share Beds, Board Rules

The Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board will not alter its accommodation plans for the single men’s quarters at the new fire station at Kilmore street.

This was decided by a special meeting of the board after hearing the views of a deputation from the district council of the Federation of Trbour (Messrs F. L. Langley. H. Pitcairn and L. Short) and the secretary of the Christcbtiirch F’re Bri--"-desmen’s Union (Mr G. G. Walker) on the accommcda-ti-n at the new station.

Moved by the chairman (Mr W. L. Campbell) the board’s decision said: “The board considers its accommodation plans fair and reasonable and no hardship is imposed in asking a man to sleep on a plastic-covered mattress used by another fireman the previous night. If the union feels it has a sense of grievance, the matter should be referred to its f ederation for handling by th” national bodies.”

Mr Langley said that the firemen had no obiection to sharing a room, but were unanimous in their refusal to share a bed. The district council of the FOL. supported the men in their attitude.

He suggested that the board could put two beds in eight of the 19 rooms. In the other rooms two beds could be taken, if one bed was lower than the other, so that the beds over-lapped. “At Odds” Mr Walker claimed that the Christchurch union had not been a party to the award on which the board was relying. Mr Campbell: Your feder-

ation in Wellington signed it. Mr Walker: We are a separate union and should have signed it also.

Mr W. H. Mathison: You are at odds with your federation over this matter then? —Yes.

Discussing the suggestions by the deputation, Mr W. E Olds said the board had to take a firm stand on the accommodation question. “We have given in before. This is the time to stop.” he said. Mr Campbell said that an agreement had been signed with the Firemen's Federation. If the Christchurch board began altering the agreement, it would affect other boards in New Zealand. He did not think Mr Langley’s suggestions on two beds in one room should be adopted. Mr W. McGrath said he felt the firemen had a case in asking for separate beds Hr A. S. Hollander supported him.