TIMARU FIREMAN OBJECTS TO UNION

Grey River Argus, 19 February 1949, Page 3

TIMARU FIREMAN OBJECTS TO UNION

TIMARU, Feb. 18 Mr S. A. Watt has resigned from the’ Timaru Fire Brigade, after nearly 31 years’ service .In a letter to the Timaru Fire Board, received to-day, Mr Watt said that he was resigning because of his being forced to join the union, “which 1 am not in agreement with.” The letter was dated December 30, and Mr Watt asked that his resignation take effect from December 31. As his service was a few months short of 31 years he asked as a voluntary member, without any remuneration to obtain his service honours.

The matter was one which was cropping up all over New Zealand, said the chairman (Mr W. Hall). It had not been fixed up in spite of several conferences, although partial agreements had been reached. Governmenecto eweoeuledee

The Government would like to see an agreement arrived at, but it. was not “pushing” to make one, said Mr Hall. “I do not think the Government will make a decision, and in the mea.ntime auxiliary firemen are slipping out, which is very unfortunate.” Mr Hill said that he was particularly sorry that Mr Watt was going to leave. He advised Mr Watt not to resign, and told him that the union could sue the board for employing a non-unionist. “Mv attitude was. let them sue us.” said Mr Hall.