Call to end manning row

Press, 15 July 1983, Page 4

Call to end manning row

PA Wellington The Minister of Labour, Mr Bolger, wants the manning dispute over Hunt Petroleum supply ships settled before the company’s drilling rig arrives in September. He discussed the wrangle with the president of the Merchant Service Guild, Mr Vince O’Sullivan, yesterday, and Mr O’Sullivan was to take two proposals back to the guild’s executive. “I put it to them very firmly that we have to find a resolution to the problem,” Mr Bolger said afterwards.

“We are going to get the vessels and the associated rig down here drilling, they have got that position very clearly and I hope they take it into account when making their decision.”

At first the guild wanted two masters, one American and one a New Zealander, on both the supply ships which will service the rig in the Great South Basin. Hunt Petroleum found that unacceptable. After talking with Mr Bolger earlier yesterday Mr O’Sullivan said that he would take two proposals which had arisen from the discussion back to the guild executive for a decision. Mr O’Sullivan said that his guild would look at two options: That the ships should have American masters and a New Zealand mate with the prospect of promotion to master, or that there be American masters with three New Zealand deck officers on each ship. Other options may be taken into account.