Petrol supply threat

Press, 30 December 1980, Page 4

Petrol supply threat

,PA Whangarei Production at the Marsden Point oil refinery and holiday petrol supplies were threatened yesterday with 14 days notice of a strike by refinery operators.

The union delegate, Mr John Smithson, said yesterday that union representatives - had decided unanimously to strike to seek pay claims. They told the management of their decision after their meeting and unless agreement on new pay rates is reached they will strike on January 12. A strike by the refinery’s

60 operators would close the refinery and jeopardise petrol supplies.

The union claims an 18.9 per cent increase on the present rate which has already been subject to a 4 per cent general wage increase. " The New Zealand Refining Company has offered 13.6 per cent. >. -'i . Last week the union withdrew its pay claims at ah award talks meeting at Auckland and said the operators would meet yesterday to discuss the issue.

They heard a report by the secretary of the Engine Drivers’ Union, Mr G.

Hogarth, on the reasons for the withdrawal and then decided to give notice of strike action.

Mr Smithson said yesterday that the men were standing firm on their wage claim but were prepared to meet the management again to discuss the issue.

The refinery personnel officer, Mr G. Watt, said yesterday that the company would meet representatives of the other trade groups at the refinery for annual pay talks on Monday and that this might arrange a further meeting with the operators two days later.