Auckland Running Out Of Petrol

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31865, 18 December 1968, Page 1

Auckland Running Out Of Petrol

{New Zealand Press Association» AUCKLAND, December 17. Auckland service stations are running out of petrol as the strike by 130 oil tanker drivers continues.

The strike began late on Monday over a disputed pay rate for men driving a new type of tanker and trailer used by the Mobil Oil Company (N.Z.), Ltd.

union secretary, Mr G. H. Andersen, this afternoon: “We are always prepared to talk to any union at any time on matters of joint concern, whether relating to the interpretation of the award or otherwise. “National matters, however, affecting the whole of the industry in New Zealand must be dealt with on a national basis with the New Zealand Drivers’ Federation. November Agreement “We remind you that the rates for towing trailers was the subject of complete agreement with the federation on November 11 —an agreement to which your representative was a party.” According to Mr Andersen, the first part of the letter hints at the possibility of a meeting between the union and the employers. “The door was closed but

now it is half open,” he said. “We’ll resume normal work if the employers agree to hold discussions with our union. “Local Right" “We have a right to deaf locally on issues such as the tanker-trailer pay rates. We have local agreements with the master carriers and with the contractors. W’e should have one with the oil companies. “They are trying to occupy a position separate and apart from the rest of the employers in the road transport industry. “We’re prepared to push on, even if it takes some time and a long struggle.” If Mr Skinner’s hopes are realised, the dispute could be resolved tomorrow. He said of Mr Kelly’s letter: “This indicates that the oil companies are prepared to talk to the Northern Drivers’ Union on all matters of award conditions and other matters that affect their mutual relations. “The F.O.L. thinks the drivers’ union should accept and reopen negotiations in the new year." While the dispute remains deadlocked, special fuel supplies have been arranged for the police, fire brigades, ambulances and hospitals. But other organisations, including bus companies, airlines and factories will receive no deliveries until the strike ends.

The oil companies would not negotiate with the Northern Drivers’ Union, the spokesman for the oil industry in Auckland, Mr D. Kelly, said tonight.

He was commenting on a suggestion by the president of the Federation of Labour (Mr T. E. Skinner) that talks between the drivers and the oil companies were imminent. Meanwhile some service stations are already dry and motorists are queuing at others. At Otahuhu a man drove into a petrol station and had the attendant fill a 44-gallon drum. Some companies are collecting bulk fuel supplies from oil company depots. Prime Issue The prime issue now at stake in the dispute is the oil companies’ refusal to negotiate with the union. Mr Kelly wrote to the

The Northern Drivers’ Union offered today to allow its members to deliver supplies to bus companies and factories but the oil companies refused to make the fuel available.

“If you make fish of one and fowl of another, where do you stop?” said Mr Kelly.