Dispute Stops Rail Ferries

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32321, 12 June 1970, Page 1

Dispute Stops Rail Ferries

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 11.

All Cook Strait rail ferry sailings were cancelled tonight and there are doubts whether services will be resumed tomorrow.

An industrial dispute aboard the Aranui yesterday led to the dismissal of five motormen, and the crew refused to make the scheduled 6.40 p.m. sailing from Wellington to Picton. As a result the late-night Picton-to-Wellington sailing was also cancelled.

The Aramoana is off the run for its annual survey, and the Aranui has been maintaining the Cook Strait service on its own.

If sailings are not resumed tomorrow the effects, in terms of passenger and freight delays, are expected to be serious.

Today’s dispute arose when motormen sought time off to prepare for their midday meal They were told they could stop work at 11.45 a.m. in preparation for the noon to 1 p.m. meal break. Five men stopped instead at 11.30 a.m. and were dismissed. When the ship’s master refused to rescind the dismissals the rest of the crew refused to make the 6.40 p.m. sailing. It is believed that the parties were deadlocked tonight, with little prospect of a solu-

tion in time for tomorrow's 10 a.m. Wellington-to-Picton sailing. But a Union Steam Ship Company spokesman said tonight that every effort was being made to resolve the dispute and to resume normal services.