Benmore Workers’ Ultimatum

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30092, 28 March 1963, Page 14

Benmore Workers’ Ultimatum

(Neu? Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, March 27. Workers at the Benmore hydro project threatened to strike unless the construction superintendent, Mr W. A. Shellock. is removed. In a secret ballot todaj’ they voted to start a rolling strike within a week unless their demands are met.

The decision would mean that all members of the New Zealand Workers' Union would only work sections of the project as. and when, they saw fl*. Shortly before Christmas the union passed a vote of no-confidence in Mr Shellock and asked for his transfer. After negotiations between the head office of the union and the Ministry of Works, the union was told it must forward evidence in supportof its attitude by March 31. The meeting held in the Otematata cinema today was attended’ by Mr W. A. Dempster, secretary of the South Island branch of the Workers' Union. Mr Dempster said later that he had no comment to make. “Any comment would place my job in jeopardy.” ! There are about 1000 union I members at Benmore. Of [these 536 voted for strike i action, 181 against, and 11 abstained. The remainder did not attend the meeting. Union members said after the meeting' that they had been told that those who did not work would be paid from

“voluntary” contributions of 10s a week from those who were working. Two members of the strike committee would travel with the pay waggon to collect contributions. The meeting was also told that those who did not contribute would have their names taken.