TIE-UP IN PETROL DISTRIBUTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 25 June 1937, Page 5

TIE-UP IN PETROL DISTRIBUTION

DftIVERS WANT 40-HOUR WEEK TROUBLE AT AUCKLAND [By Telegraph—Press Association} ■AUCKLAND, This Day. The whole of Auckland’s petrol distributing fleet was tied up this morning as the result of the drivers ceasing work as a protest against not being granted a 40-hour week. Forty drivers in Auckland city are affected. A conference is in progress between representatives of the union and the companies in an endeavour to affect a settlement. The men concerned are covered by the Northern Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough, Canterbury, Southland and Otago Motor and Horse Drivers' Award, and the drivers employed throughout New Zealand number 4000. The representatives of the union contend that under their award they are entitled to a 40-hour week instead of a 44-hour week, and state that they are seeking retrospective payment from 21st December last when the award came into force. The possibility of the trouble developing was known to a number of garages and petrol retails during the week and extra supplies were laid in. ABORTIVE CONFERENCE The conference held this morning between the representatives of the oil coiripsmies and the union proved abortive The Conciliation Commissioner, who presided, said that no statement would be made. There does not appear to be Immediate danger of a shortage of petrol supplies in Auckland, but the position, nevertheless, is viewed with concern. The manager of an Auckland taxi company operating 200 cars, said that those engaged in the taxi industry hoped for a speedy settlement, as despite large stocks carried the position was likely soOn to become serious.