Chch drivers vote in favour of stoppage

Press, 20 October 1987, Page 3

Chch drivers vote in favour of stoppage

Industrial reporter Christchurch and North Canterbury drivers voted in favour of a 48-hour national stoppage at a meeting in the city yesterday. The Canterbury Drivers’ Union secretary, Mr Don Cunninghame, said between 800 and 900 drivers attended the meeting and voted in favour of the stoppage in support of the union’s 16.3 per cent wage claim. The Drivers’ Union seeks the wage increase or an 8.6 per cent wage rise with a $22 increase in the drivers’ industry allowance, from almost $lB to $4O a week. . ‘ • Other districts in Canterbury will meet today , and tomorrow to vote on the stoppage — a recqjnmendation from the

union representatives at the national award talks. Mr Cunninghame said the talks had been adjourned with no further date for talks set down. “Last year drivers settled at 6 per cent because of the economic situation in Canterbury and other rural areas.” But the rural economy had now picked up and drivers wanted a fair deal, he said. Stricter legislation for drivers had also limited hours and given them additional housekeeping duties. Some employers, mainly in the North Island, had already paid higher rates to their drivers. - No date for the likely 48-hour stoppage has been set but Mr Cunninghame said 24 hours ru4ice of the stoppage would be given. '