FIREMAN WHO TOOK RELIEVING WORK

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 175, 19 April 1940, Page 6

FIREMAN WHO TOOK RELIEVING WORK

Union Secretary’s Action SAID TO BE UNWARRANTED INTERFERENCE Dominion Special Service. PALMERSTON N„ April 18. ‘This is a case of unwarranted interference,” said the chairman, Mr. Hansford. at a meeting of the Palmerston North Eire Board today, when expressinjr disapproval of the action of the r ire Brigade Union .secretary concerning a I’almerston North fireman, who, while on extended leave, accepted a position with the Hawera brigade to help fill a breach caused by the enlistment of members ot the staff for active service. “The Government tvants enlistments, vet this occurs.” said Mr. Mansford. "It is time this s-ort of thing was . brought before the Government so that it can be shown what is being done by secretaries of trade unions.” The board received a letter from the superintendent of the Hawera Fire Brigade, which said that it appeared the award had been contravened by a fireman accepting a relieving appointment while on extended leave. Ihe Hawera brigade had its staff depleted because ot enlistments and employed a member of the Palmerston North brigade while he was on extended leave. The fire brigade employees’ union secretary, Mr. L. Glover, had intimated that, provided the position were remedied, no action would be taken, and after consultation with the chairman and' secretary .of the, Hawera board the fireman who was acting there was released, though he was disappointed and expressed his willingness to give bis services without pay. The Hawera superintendent understood from what Mr. Glover had said that the Palmerston North board was fighting the issue ot extended leave. It seemed that a similar position to that which occurred in Hnwera bad occurred at the Centennial Exhibition. . ‘ , Following a brief discussion, the board decided, on the motion of Mr. Mansford, that the Hawera superintendent, be advised that the board did not think Mr. Glover’s interpretation of the award was correct and did not think he would be supported in court- It was also decided to send a copy'of the correspondence to the Minister concerned.