TRAINS STOPPED

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33252, 15 June 1973, Page 3

TRAINS STOPPED

Railway traffic out of Christchurch ceased altogether last evening because of a demarcation dispute between the two big unions covering railway employees. The National Union of Railwaymen and the Engineers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association are at loggerheads over who should man the locomotive refuelling installation at Christchurch. As a result, no engines have been refuelled at Christchurch since last

Sunday. One by one the shunting locomotives have stopped with empty tanks, and by yesterday afternoon it appeared there would be no rolling stock for trains out of Christchurch after tomorrow. Rail-cars and main-line locomotives have been able to refuel outside Christchurch, but last evening members of the E.F.C.A. decided not to man any trains so that thev could attend a union meeting this morning. Because of the ban, the Dunedin and West Coast rail-cars were cancelled, as were several overnight goods trains, and this morning’s Southerner ex-

pres to Dunedin will, at the least, be delayed. Less than half the usual number of shunting locomotives are still able to work. Normally there are 12: only four now have any fuel left; by about midda\ tomorrow none will be able to move unless the dispute is settled and they can refuel. E.F.C.A. members might return to work, hut if the dispute is not settled they could be manning trains from Christchurch which will have nothing to haul. Local union officials said last evening that the dis--1 pute had been referred to their respective national offices.