Firemen’s dispute resolved?

Press, 10 May 1979, Page 3

Firemen’s dispute resolved?

PA Wellington A firemen’s strike threat receded yesterday in the lower half of the North Island after a proposition related to an injured fireman was put to union leaders by the Fire Service Commission. Strike ballots were held on Tuesday by all firemen in the Central Fire Brigades Union, covering all brigades from Gisborne to Wellington. Although the votes were still being counted yesterday it is believed direct action over the case of the injured man has been authorised.

The union’s secretary (Mr D. Parsons) said, however, that a proposition made by the commission was being considered by the union.

“We are optimistic at this stage that the dispute will be resolved,” Mr Parsons said.

A decision on whether direct action would be taken would probably be made by this afternoon, he said. The dispute is over a claim by the union that a fireman injured in 1977 had his pay stopped when his sick leave entitlement was exhausted and was still awaiting advice from the commission’s medical advisers on whether he was fit for duty.