Engineers Suspend Shop Stewards

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31841, 20 November 1968, Page 18

Engineers Suspend Shop Stewards

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 19. Two freezing works shop stewards have been suspended by the Auckland branch of the Engineers’ Union, apparently for their actions during the recent fitters’ dispute.

They are Mr L. G. Small, who has been shop steward at R. and W. Hellaby’s works for the last 18 vears, and Mr D. W. McKendry. who has been shop steward at the Westfield works for about four years. Mr Small is also a councillor of the National Engineers’ Union and its Auckland representative. Workers at Westfield, at a special meeting this afternoon, endorsed Mr McKendry’s position as shop steward. A meeting of all fitters in the Auckland district is expected to be called next Monday Although Mr Small and Mr McKendry have been advised

of their suspension neither seemed certain tonight of the reason. “From what 1 have heard.” said Mr McKendry, “it is alleged we held an illegal meeting without the authority of the union.” He said the meeting concerned was, in fact, called by the workers. All he and Mr Small had done was to convey the meeting’s ideas to the union. When 31 fitters went on strike at the Moerewa freezing works last week a meeting of all Auckland freezing works fitters was held and Mr Small and Mr McKendry spoke to the meeting. As yet the suspension has not affected his position on the national council. The secretary' of the Auckland branch of the Engineers' Union, Mr J. J. Crummey, was not available for comment tonight.