Strikers accuse owner-drivers

Press, 18 April 1980, Page 4

Strikers accuse owner-drivers

A picket line formed by striking Musgrove Bros, Ltd, workers at the Shades Tavern site in Cashel Street was allegedly crossed by owner-drivers using their trucks yesterday. “There will be serious repercussions,” said the secretary of the Canterbury Trades Council (Mr L. G. Morel) yesterday. The council has taken over the dispute over redundancy which led to the strike by the workers a week ago. Mr Morel said that even non-unionists should not cross picket lines. The striking Musgrove Bros workers will meet again today to hear a report on the dispute from the Trades Council and to decide whether to take any further action. They have handed the dispute to- the council, which imposed a

black ban on the company's work.

However, Musgrove Bros’ managing director (Mr G. G. Vickers) has said that the black ban is not unduly affecting the company. A spokesman for the owner-drivers, Mr T. J. Ford, said that the drivers could “see no reason not to cross the line.” “We have a signed contract with Musgrove Bros to cart material for them when and where requested. We are completely independent operators and our licences are tagged that we work for Musgroves only. When the company asks us to work, we do so. “We are in business to make money and do not'want to be put out of business because of a union dispute that will not affect us,” Mr Ford said.