Liquor men strike

Press, 13 November 1981, Page 19

Liquor men strike

PA Auckland A strike by liquor wholesale workers has caused stocks of some lines to run low at several of the 30 or so wine and spirit merchants in Auckland: Deliveries to many of the outlets have been disrupted since the strike began last Thursday. There seemed little chance of an early settlement . The workers, mostly drivers and storemen, decided to continue the stoppage at least until today, when they will meet again. After the meeting, groups

of strikers formed picket lines at several city outlets and asked brewery tanker drivers not to cross the lines with ’ deliveries. In some cases picketers asked customers not to buy supplies. The employers’ advocate, Mr Keith Shaw, said the employers had filed for a hearing before the Arbitration Court. “If we cannot settle it between ourselves then let us do it properly and legally,” he said. The strike began when the wines and spirits award talks broke down after the unions

rejected the employers’ offer of a 10 per cent wage rise. The unions say that the workers covered by the award have gradually lost margins they enjoyed over general drivers and storemen 10 years ago. The employers say the rate for the highest paid general storemen is $2O a week less than that offered in the wines and spirits negotiations. They also say that after six months service the drivers get $12.17 a week more than general drivers.