Strike takes new turn

Press, 18 August 1978, Page 3

Strike takes new turn

PA Dunedin I A driver was allegedly taken from his truck and stripped outside the Dunedin tip on Wednesday. Striking Dunedin City Council members of the Labourers Union have mounted a picket at the tip to stop commercial drivers from dumping. The' police were told of the alleged assault at the Green Island tip, and yesterday drivers from Maxwell Brothers, Ltd, a carrying firm, met their union president and secretary. A Maxwell Brothers’ driver had allegedly been assaulted.

The police said that a complaint had been made, but withdrawn. When the police spoke to the person concerned, the matter was taken no further, said a police spokesman.

Ail other parties were tight-lipped yesterday. The manager of Maxwell Brothers (Mr R. A. Maxwell) said there had been “a bit of a kerfuffle” at the tip but his company was “adopting a low-key attitude.” The secretary of the Otago Drivers’ Union (Mr B. Reid) confirmed that he had visited Maxwell Brothers with the union president, but would not comment on the meeting with the men. Asked whether the Otago Drivers’ Union supported the striking labourers, Mr Reid said: “No comment.” The Drivers’ Union’s advice to its members during the labourers’ strike has been not to cross the picket line.

Mr Reid said that the union had suggested this course of action, but the drivers did not have to adhere to it.