FIREMEN’S BEDS Union To Appeal Against Decision

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 17

FIREMEN’S BEDS Union To Appeal Against Decision

Members of the Christ, church Fire Brigadesmen's Union have not yet decided whether they will move to the new fine station in Kilmore street with the machinery and equipment that will be moved from the old fire station rr. Lichfield street today and tomorrow The Chief Fire Officer Mr L R Ownend. the officer in cha-ge of the fire brigade, sad last evening thatbecotald give an assurance that there would not be one moment when Christchurch was unprotected against fire hazard while the shift was being made from the Lichfield street station.

'•I am -esoonsible for shift-i-’.g a whole brigade in two days, while ensuring that continual protection against fire is given, and I will be shifting a whole brigade." he said.

Asked yesterday if the situation could arise whereby the firemen would remain at the old fire station while the fire engines, alarm equipment and all ftmiture would

b? at the Kiknore street station, ’he secretary of the union <Mr G G Walker) deci •’rd to comment

He said that at a large meeting yesterday the union bad decided to aopeal to the Court of Arbitration against •he deci-ton of the Christc’turch Conciliation Commi«s oner (Mr S W Arms+rortg) in rulin-’ tha’ the Christclinch Fire Board did not have to supply separate bed' f>r the men who lived off the station who spent 24 brum on duty and 24 hour* off dutv

Mr Walker added that the Conciliation Commission's dec =icn and the move to the Kilmore station would be discussed at a meeting of the district trades council of the Federation of Labour torn ■’•mw evening

Last month, the Fire Brig d^men - ' Union decided bv a vote of 75 to five that the m n would refuse to man

the new s’ation until there was a satisfactory settlement to ‘he dispute over the beds Mr F L Langley, preside") of the district trades council, which has been a party to the dispute, would not comment yesterday when asked if the firemen would move to the new station The chairman of the Fire Board (Mr W R. Campbell) said yesterday that as far as the board was concerned the shift would go as planned t ’rf- y and tomorrow In the l : ?ht of the Conciliation Commis«ioner's decision ’he boa-d had no reason to discuss the matter further with the Fireman’s Union.

He said that by tomorrow «ftemoon the Lichfield station would become in-

operative when the last of the equipment was taken away.

The board was required to give up possession of the Lichfield street building on Wednesday afternoon to the purchasers, Radley Bros.. Ltd, at which stage the board expected to have the Kilmore station fully operative, he said

Mr H E. Radley, man-aging-director of Radley Bros.. Ltd., said the firm already had promises of occupancy to fulfil to others who would be tenants in part of the building.