PETROL DRIVERS' HOURS

Evening Star, Issue 22686, 28 June 1937, Page 8

PETROL DRIVERS ' HOURS

TEST CASE AGAINST CBMPANY COURT Will SIT SATURDAY [Peu United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 28. Two charges will be brought against the Vacuum Oil Company •in the Arbitration Court at Christchurch on Saturday by tho inspector of awards in a test case to bring the petrol wagon drivers’ dispute before the court. The company will be charged with failing to pay the drivers overtime for hours worked in excess of 40 per week, and with failing to pay them for their halfhour lunch interval when, under the Explosives Act, they cannot leave their wagons. mn RETURN TO WORK UIIIOM SECRETARY'S STATEMENT Tho petrol wagon drivers, who agreed to a settlement of the strike on Saturday evening, returned to work to-day. Service stations and other users of petrol aro eagerly seeking fresh supplies. A statement issued on behalf of the men by the secretary of tho Auckland Drivers’ Union (Mr L. G. Matthews) stresses the fact that tho men expect to receive not less than a 40-hour week and payment for meal time where they tiro compelled to remain in their vehicles on the road. Mr Matthews said the men did not desire at any time to cripple the industry. “We wish to state emphatically.” he said, “ our action was a definite protest against the oil companies, whose head offices are in Wellington, and not against the Labour Government, in whom we place the fullest confidence. We are asking only for what is provided in our award.”