Chch firms make deals with drivers

Press, 12 October 1985, Page 1

Chch firms make deals with drivers

Five Christchurch companies and a national transport firm have signed interim agreements to pay the wage increases sought by the Drivers’ Union and another four are “in the process” of signing. The secretary of the Canterbury Drivers’ Union, Mr Don Cunninghame, said that five had signed yesterday and another was expected to sign late last evening. Inquiries by “The Press” showed that three of the companies which signed are 0. R. Kinnane, Great Freight, and Orana Transport, all of which are very small firms.

The union claims that two of the other companies employ 15 drivers each. More than 40 drivers in total are said to be involved. Drivers employed by the companies which signed the agreements yesterday will receive higher rates until a national award is settled, when they will come into line with the award. The union was seeking an increase in the base rate of 14 per cent and an increase in the industry allowance from the present $14.45 to $25.

When the talks broke down, the employers nationally had offered an 11.5 per

cent increase to the base rate and a $2O industry allowance.

Mr Cunninghame said that “quite a few” more employers had been telephoning him since 7.10 a.m. yesterday about signing an agreement. “They see the error of their ways,” he said. One of the possible reasons for this was that drivers who returned to work were not restricted to their own customers but could do any work that was available.

Mr Cunninghame said that the union’s office would be open this morning if any other employer wanted to sign the agreement and the union was prepared to go out to see any employer if required. The union denied earlier yesterday that any pressure had been p.ut on firms to sign the agreement.

The chairman of the Christchurch Driving Industry Co-ordinating Committee, Mr Ken Gwatkin, said last evening that the fact that six companies had signed an agreement did not alter the stance of the other employers. “Each employer has to consider his own particular position in relation to his business. “The fact that a few in

the total number of employers decide to succumb to union claims has no bearing on the total employers’ stance.”

Mr Gwatkin said that he did not think that any more employers would agree to pay the drivers’ claims. “We are now waiting for the drivers to come back to work and are hopeful that this will be the case.

“They have proved their point. They have taken industrial action in support of their claims and there is no doubt that this has been noted throughout the country.”