Rebels to drive on in face of union warning

Press, 28 October 1977, Page 1

Rebels to drive on in face of union warning

Industrial reporter

Canterbury coach drivers who have rebelled against a majority strike decision may face drastic action from their union, according to the secretary of the Canterbury Drivers’ Union (Mr P. R. Liggett). The companies allowing them to drive might also face union action, said Mr Liggett.

A secret ballot was held on Wednesday, and the union’s executive met that evening to consider action against those who defied the strike decision.

Mr Liggett said the rules did not allow for disciplining members, but if drivers went ahead with their defiance today the union might have to take “some drastic moves.”

Although the union could not discipline rebellious drivers, it could take action against companies that allowed their men to drive when the majority had voted to strike, Mr Liggett said.

“We can make it rather expensive for the companies,” he said, adding that whatever action was taken might come after November 1, the date of the resumption of conciliation talks. “In my opinion they

should get a wage decrease,” Mr Liggett said of the rebels.

Asked why some drivers had gone against the majority decision, he said that they felt obligations towards their passengers. When the coach drivers met to consider retention of their unqualified preference clause they had voted about 84 per cent to retain it—but if they did not stand by majority decisions “they should not be members.” “As far as I am concerned, I am not the union,” Mr Liggett said. “If people demand increases, how can we negotiate if they are going to vote to abide by a decision one minute, and to go against it at the next?” The drivers seek a 9.5 per cent pay increase and an extra week’s holiday. The employers have offered 7.5 per cent plus a $6-a-week industry allowance.

All or some of the drivers employed by the following companies are reported to have rebelled: Bonici Motors, Mount Cook Coachlines, MidCanterbury Industries, and Hawarden Transport.

Bonici drivers went to their employer after the union meeting and asked to be allowed to carry on driving, according to a company spokesman. Bonici Motors is a subsidiary of Trans Holdings, which runs Trans Tours, one of the biggest tour companies in New Zealand. The decision by Bonici drivers to defy the majority decision means that about 950 passengers on Trans Tours excursions will continue on their journeys today. A spokesman for Mount Cook Coachlines said that some drivers had opted to drive today, but others had decided against this. The strike is planned to end at midnight tonight, and was recommended by the union’s assessors after the award talks two weeks ago. The strike was endorsed by drivers in some unions within the Drivers’ Federation, but others, such as those at Nelson, voted against it. From Ashburton, the Press Association reports that drivers employed by Mid-Canterbury Industries will also defy the strike decision. After being invited to work yesterday

morning they voted unanimously to maintain school bus services. The company’s manager (Mr B. A. Cullen) was reported to have said that if the drivers wanted to work they could. Newmans coach tours will probably be the worst affected in Canterbury. The South Island manager of the company (Mr R. J. Eldershaw) said yesterday that 57 tours were affected in the country, involving 1870 tourists.

The general manager of Midland Coachlines (Mr D. W. Mcßeth) said that no services would be run by the company today because of the strike. About 1500 commuters to Christchurch are affected and about 20 coaches on tour in the South Island will have been out from midnight last night until the strike ends at midnight tonight. The one concession for Midland was lifting of the freight ban previously imposed on the company.

The Press Association at Oamaru quotes the managing director of Ritchie Coachlines (Mr J. Ritchie) as saying that his 40 drivers had indicated they wanted to drive today.