Rail settlement hopes

Press, 2 July 1979, Page 6

Rail settlement hopes

PA Wellington The president of the National Union of Railwaymen (Mr George Finlayson) hopes that the 18-day rail freightforwarding dispute will be settled today if the Government accepts the union’s pro- , posals for a return to work. The union’s national council sent suggestions to. Government Ministers late last week describing a possible basis for a settlement. The dispute, which has caused more than 2000 'workers to be laid off and ihas virtually halted rail I freight, will probably be dis- | cussed by the Cabinet today, i Mr Finlayson said in | Christchurch last evening that he hoped the suggestions, 'had. been considered and thatl la reply would be given to-: day. if the . Government re-1 sponded to the suggestions there might be a return to work, he said. However, he wohld not disclose what the council’s proposals were. Auckland, South Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch branches of the N.U.R. imposed a ban on handling freight-forwarders sidings as a protest against, fhe with-1 drawal of the Silver Star expresses pending their conversion to part-sleepers, partseating trains. The General Manager of Railways (Mr T. Tf. Hayward) | said last evening that he believed the council should direct its branches to return to work. He said that the council had said last week it agreed with a return to work, but was unable to direct the branches to go back. “However, I have now examined their rules, and it

iis quite clear to me and to the aepartment solicitor that 'the council can direct their (branches to return to work land that they have good reason to use this power,’’ Mr Hayward said. “I believe that* the council should return to Wellington immediately, exercise the powers contained: in. their own rules, , and bring this stoppage to amend.” | Mr Hayward said that he | was deeply concerned about I the rail shutdown, paticularly '(the lay-offs of career staff at ia time when there was so [much important traffic waitling to be moved. “Contrary to published reports, I am in touch with the other rail unions, but we are iall hamstrung by the entrenched attitudes of the national council,” he said. j

Mr Finlayson said that the branches were autonomous [and made their own decisions. The national council could [participate directly only if

called upon by its branches. None had done so yet, but several had indicated rail- [ waymen should have a complete stoppage, he said.