Union dismisses its president

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32540, 25 February 1971, Page 1

Union dismisses its president

(By our industrial reporter)

Christchurch Transport Board bus drivers yesterday voted out of office their union president (Mr F. Langrish) and vice-president (Mr F. Cane). The secretary’ (Mr N. Gray) was endorsed in his position by a slender majority.

These were the results of a secret ballot conducted by the Department of Labour after a special general meeting of the union on January 17 had unanimously called for the dismissal of the three officers and of all the members of the executive. Two hundred and twelve members voted yesterday—about 73 per cent of the membership. None of the executive members were voted out.

It appears that Messrs Langrish and Cane will remain in office until elections can be held for these two positions, and this will probably not be until late next month.

By that time, it may also be necessary to hold an election for the position of secretary, as Mr Gray has applied for a taxi licence at Kaikoura and may soon be leaving the Transport Board’s employment. Yesterday’s ballot will also result in a special election at national level. By virtue of being Christchurch president, Mr Langrish is a member of the municipal bus drivers’ national council, and he was elected from the council to the five-man national executive.

The January 17 meeting and the subsequent ballot sprang from differences between Messrs Langrish and Gray over the way in which union affairs should be handled. During recent months the union has largely been divided into two camps.