AMBULANCE DRIVERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 3

AMBULANCE DRIVERS

MEMBERSHIP OF UNION DISCUSSED BOARD SEEKS EXEMPTION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 17. The wish of the Wellington Drivers’ Union to recruit as members drivers of the Wellington City and District Free Ambulance was discussed by the Ambulance Board to-day, when a letter was read from the secretary of the union stating that the union wished to meet representatives of the board in conciliation council proceedings. When Mr. J. H. Collins asked what the board intended to say in reply, the president, Sir Charles Norwood, said that the board had no intention of departing from its previous decision, which was that it did not see that there was anything to gain by the board’s specialised drivers being made subject to the will of the union. Mr. Collins then said proceedings would go forward. A citation would be served on the board for a hearing in Conciliation Council, and whether the board was represented or not, the case could be heard. Otherwise the board could decide on applying to the Arbitration Court for exemption from the operations of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. “I’m telling you that because it is my job, and has been for years,” said Mr. Collins. “That is what you might have to pay 10 guineas for if you consult a lawyer.” It was decided that the letter from the union should be acknowledged, and that the union be advised that the board intended to apply for exemption to the Arbitration Court from the provisions of the act.