Vital meetings in Chch today

Press, 6 September 1976, Page 1

Vital meetings in Chch today

Four stationary-engine drivers at New Zealand Breweries, Ltd, in Christchurch, have threatened to seek employment elsewhere if their demands for immediate reinstatement and reimbursement for wages lost during a suspension are not met.

The men control the machines which produce steam at the brewery. Without them, production at the brewery would be halted, and other brewery workers and drivers might face suspension. The secretary of the Boilermakers’ Union (Mr K. A. Perkins) said that an executive meeting of union officials would be held at 8 a.m. tod.., after which a meeting with company officials will be held. "I am not optimistic about the talks,” Mr Perkins said. "If nothing conclusive is decided, the men will begin seeking other employment. There is plenty of work around for stationary-engine drivers.” A spokesman for New Zealand Bre- ies in Wellington, Mr Des Fitzgerald, said that he had no reason to think a settlement could not be reached today. Mr Fitzgerald said that the company had not changed its position since Friday, but he could not predict what course the meetings with the unions might take today. “The whole thing is in limbo." h- said. “If t* s boilermakers find work elsewhere, it could create great problems for the other unions. If there is no

production, there is no work.” Brewery drivers, who with stationary - engine drivers have been suspended since last Wednesday, will also meet today, at 8 a.m., to decide on further action. The secretary of the Drivers’ Union (Mr P. R. Liggett) said that the union would put a firm proposition to company officials. “We will not work until we have oeen paid for the time we were suspended,’’ said Mr Liggett. “We lifted all restrictions last week m good faith. The brewery is simoly not playing the game.” Meanwhile, the assistant managing director of Canterbury Bye-Products, Ltd (Mr A. S. Marshall), said that his company would not accede to demands from 130 striking workers at the Sockbum abattoir. “We will meet with them, and communicate with them, but there has been no change in our policy,” he said. “We have already paid for two days of slaughter that did not take place. I believe that was fair and reasonable. But we will not pay for days after the workers were suspended.” Mr Marshall said that be expected workers to return to their jobs. “We are not a profit-making organisation. If we are not produc-

ing revenues, there is no income to pay for wages.” The secretary of the Meat Workers’ Union (Mr W. R. Cameron) said that union officials would meet with company officials todav to see if there nad been a change of heart over the suspensions. “The men are in an angry mood,” said Mr Cameron. “They are blaming the company, and they are blaming the Government. I would not like to say what will happen.” Abattoir workers were suspended 10 days ago, and have been on strike since Friday over back pay after the suspension.

The Canterbury Manufacturers* Federation is taking its quarrel with the Railways Department a stage further. It has asked for a Ministerial inquiry into the recent increased rail-ferry charges. ' —Page 2. Wellington players won both major titles at “The Press” invitation squash championships at the

week-end with brilliant displays of superb squash. —Page 3. Taal volcano in the Philippines has begun spewing molten rock high into the air as thousands of villagers fled in fear of a huge eruption. —Page 8. Hints for the design and decoration of the bathroom