34 Decide For 3500 Unionists

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1950, Page 5

34 Decide For 3500 Unionists

AUCKLAND, This Day (P.A.). —Thirty-four men out of a total membership of 3500 are stated to be responsible for the decision which threatens to stop the Auckland transport services on Wednesday. The decision for a one-day stoppage of work was, it is understood, made at the last general meeting of the union, which was attended by only 60 members, of whom 34 voted to cease work. This was not submitted, so far as is known, to a secret ballot or to each firm’s group of drivers for individual confirmation or rejection.

Some drivers have discussed moves to secure united action in opposition to the cease-work order. X Bakers may be prevented . from working, though they are willing to do so. The NeW Zealand Master Bakers’ Association has made representations to the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, to intervene. 116 Vote, Out Of 1400

It is reported also that the Tramway Union decision to stop work from 1.30 to 4 p.m. on' Wesdnesday afternoon was carried on a secret ballot by a margin of three votes, and that the total number of votes cast was 116. The union’s membership approaches 1400. The Auckland Master Carriers’ Association will meet on Monday night to discuss emergency measures.

Auckland will face one of the most serious transport problems in its history on Wednesday unless strike decisions reached by two major unions are reversed. Designed as a protest against increased prices and the Government’s wages policy, the work stoppages will coincide with the opening of Parliament.

The transport position on Wednesday will be: — Private Bus Companies.—No services with union drivers.

Tramways and Transport Board Passenger Buses. —No services between 1.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. City Cartage.—All union-driven trucks, 70 per cent, of the total, will be off the roads. Bread deliveries will in the main bo stopped, but milk deliveries will not be affected. Problem For Workers

A large proportion of Auckland's workers will be able to reach and return from their employment on Wednesday by tram and Transport Board bus services, but many thousands w’ho are completely dependent on union-driven buses will be without transport. The Mayor (Sir John Allum) has appealed to the unions to be moderate, and has also asked for help from owners of private cars to carry the city’s workers.