Wellington petrol dwindles

Press, 24 October 1978, Page 6

Wellington petrol dwindles

PA ' ' Wellington Petrel supplies are likely to run out in the Wellington area this evening unless oil companies and tanker drivers settle a dispute that has stopped all bulk deliveries to service stations since Friday.] Tanker drivers will meet this morning to consider their position, but no meeting has been planned with the companies. Almost all sendee stations which opened yesterday ran dry as motorists queued to fill up. But many service stations did not open during the holiday week-end and they still have supplies. The Motor Trade Association’s executive officer (Mr T. J. Bates) said yesterday that about half the sendee stations in the district still had petrol, but most had little left in rheir storage tanks. "If there is no return to

■ work they will be dry in a day,” he said. The dispute follows a recent report on an explosion at BP’s Seaview loading plant in June. After receiving the report, the company decided to dismiss the driver whose tanker exploded, asserting that he had failed to keep to safety regulations. The driver, who is an executive member of the Wellington Drivers’ Union, was badly burned in the accident when his tanker turned into a giant fireball as he was about to start loading. The company dismissed the driver last Tuesday and the union retaliated the next day by refusing to load tankers" at the bay, which they say is unsafe. They also refused to drive tankers which they say are below standard, putting 15 of BP’s 17 tankers off the road. Though oil industry workers must give 14 days I

notice of direct industrial action, the union says its action is legal because it is over a safety issue The Industrial Relations Act does not require notice of strikes in essential industries where health or safety is at issue. BP sent all its drivers home last Wednesday, and two days later drivers in other companies were asked to fill the rapidly emptying BP service station chain. When they refused, they were sent home for failing to obey a lawful order. An oil employers’ spokesman, Mr D J. Patten, said yesterday that the other companies’ drivers would be asked to deliver to BP stations again and would be sent home if they refused.

The Drivers’ Union secretary (Mr K. G. Douglas) made it clear that the drivers would refuse to handle BP deliveries.