Strikes may stop beer

Press, 1 December 1978, Page 4

Strikes may stop beer

PA Auckland One of the most "muscular” industrial groups in New Zealand is about to begin a programme of strikes. Stationary engine drivers, responsible for keeping up steam in the industries of the nation, will begin their campaign by striking at the main breweries. Although numbering only 1200 throughout New Zealand, stationary engine drivers cause factory production to halt almost as soon as they stop stoking the boilers. The national secretary of the Engine Drivers’ Union (Mr G. H. Andersen) toured New Zealand last week to] advise members that an Impasse had been reached in their national award negotiations. He said yesterday that the members had given the na-

I tional executive a clear mandate to take strike action. Starting next week, “rolling strikes and other work restrictions” will take effect. “We will work out what sort of action we will take according to the situation at each job,” said Mr Andersen. “Both main breweries will be among the first on the list.” Mr Andersen said the union would take the precaution of withdrawing its award claims from conciliation, to enable it to strike legally over the award breakdown. ] i The union is claiming a' < 20c an hour registration pay- [ < ment, similar to one paid to]< electricians and plumbers, for 1 recognition of certificates held .■ by boiler attendants. I The employers maintain t that the present pay struc- < tore takes the qualifications 1 of boilermen into account. ' However, the Canterbury, (

i Otago and Southland branch of the union hopes to resolve the dispute. Branch representatives would meet the employers in Christchurch this morning, said the union’s branch secretary (Mr R. H. Caffell) last evening. “I cannot say how things I will go, but I hope we can iron something out,” Mr Caffell said.