Suspension threat lifted by Railways

Press, 24 December 1985, Page 5

Suspension threat lifted by Railways

PA . Hamilton The general manager of the Railways Corporation, Mr Gordon Purdy, has lifted a suspension ’notice on a worker accused of drinking on the job. The suspension of a rail crossing attendant last Thursday brought industrial action by National Union of Railwaymen members at Frankton and Te Rapa, paralysing the northern freight network. ■ ••■/..'■;• '■ ■ , Urgent discussions on Friday evening led to a meeting on Saturday and the work bto was lifted.

The union’s Frankton secretary, Mr Ron Kirk, said the union did not support any drinking or drugtaking on the job, but proper procedures had not Been followed. The worker involved — one of two alleged to have been drinking on the job — had been suspended 48 hours after the incident. The agreement reached . at Saturday’s meeting means the corporation will be able to investigate a report , that the worker was drinking, but not that he incapable. t.