Tanker Drivers To Meet Again

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31091, 21 June 1966, Page 1

Tanker Drivers To Meet Again

(New Zealand Preet Aetoclatlon) AUCKLAND, June 20. A warning that further petrol shortages could occur next week is contained in a leaflet which Auckland petrol-tanker drivers will distribute tomorrow morning to trade unions and the public.

The secretary of the Northern Drivers* Union (Mr G. H. Andersen) said 10,000 copies of the leaflet had been printed for distribution to trade unions. The remaining copies woirtd be made available to the public. Mr Andersen said the leaflet contained the drivers' claims for improved wages and working conditions, and warned the public of the possibility of petrol shortages if they decided to stop deliveries. The drivers are refusing to work more than five hours overtime a week, and are refusing all week-end work. They are to meet at 7.30 a.m. on Thursday to consider further action in the dispute. Outlining the tankerdrivers’ stand, Mr Andersen said the men believed the oil companies were “abnormally well-equipped financially to give the workers a better deal."

The drivers, however, faced a genuine occupational hazard in working with combustible materials, and this was their major reason for seeking an oil drivers* award apart from the motor and horse drivers’ award, under which they now operate. The wage claim for petrol tanker drivers is £22 a week for vehicles of more than 10 tons and £2O a week for smaller vehicles.

The current figures are £l5 13s 4d and £l5 3s 4d, although these figures are the subject of motor and horse drivers' award proceedings, and some drivers are currently receiving margins of up to £3 15s. Additional claims are for a

£2 a week industry allowance, also to cover the danger of working with combustible goods, and provision of footwear to counter the harsh effect of oil on shoes. Mr Andersen said that all the union wanted at present was a preliminary conference with the employers, but so far the oil companies had refused to meet the union before award proceedings were completed, and these would not be renewed until July 19.