Otago drivers face prosecution

Press, 12 August 1978, Page 22

Otago drivers face prosecution

PA Dunedin The Otago Drivers’ Union will be prosecuted under the Industrial Relations Act for a ban it imposed in April on carling containers. This is the first prosecution of its kind. The Labour Department has filed two notices of intention to prosecute with the Magistrate’s Court, at Dunedin, one against the Otago Drivers’ Union itself and one against the secretary, Mr B. G. Reid. The prosecutions arise

from a ban in April tills year on the carting of containers and sea freighters (collapsible containers). The action was taken over a breakdown in award negotiations but was in contravention of section 81 of the Industrial Relations Act, according to D. P Thomas, acting District Superintendent of the Labour Department. This section says that until a dispute before conciliation has been disposed of, none of the workers involved may do anything in the nature of suspen-

sion or discontinuance of employment or work. Mr Thomas said nothing more could be done until the Court set a date for the hearing. “It is the first charge that has been brought under section 81 of the Industrial Relations Act. ’ Mr Reid said. “We will defend it “We took this action to get a realistic wage for the dirvers. In a true sense it was worth doing what we did,” Mr Reid said. There is a maximum fine of $lOO if the union is found guilty.