DRIVERS' STRIKE THREAT

Evening Star, Issue 25716, 13 February 1946, Page 7

DRIVERS' STRIKE THREAT

DISMISSAL OF LORRY DRIVER NEGLIGENT LOADING AND ACCIDENT UNREPORTED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb, 12. A statement regarding the threatened' drivers' strike by the Wellington Carriers' Association, said the dismissal of the man in question was not because of his being a delegate of the union, but was due solely to the fact that he failed to load his lorry so as properly to secure the load, and as a result damaged the vehicle he was driving and the cargo being carried. He also failed to report the accident His employers had drawn the attention of the men who had failed to report to work that their action was a breach, of the award, and that the dispute should have been referred to a special committee with an independent chairman, to be mutually agreed upon. The employers were most anxious it) the national interest to avoid the disruption of a vital industry, but nevertheless were convinced that in the circumstances they could not accede to the demand to reinstate the offending emploj'ee. It was interesting to note that the City Council intended to prosecute the firm for carrying a load which was insecure. This surely indicated that the dismissed servant 'was negligent. At the request of the Labour Department, the association had agreed that the dispute should be referred to a committee set up by the Minister under the Strikes and Lockouts Emergency Regulations. The union leaders likely to become involved in the transport dispute have been asked to confer with the Acting Minister of Labour, Mr O'Brien, today. The Minister will attempt to Teach a settlement of the dispute, which threatens to create a major transport strike. Meanwhile, the decision of the Wellington Drivers' Union to hold a stop-work meeting at 9 o'clock on Thursday morning still stands. Efforts have been made by the Labour Department to arrange for a conference between the Wellington Drivers' Union and the employers under the Strikes and Lockouts Emergency Regulations. The Wellington Carriers' Association has agreed to this proposal, but the Drivers' Union has objected. »