AUCKLAND BUS DRIVERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25426, 6 January 1944, Page 2

AUCKLAND BUS DRIVERS

RESTRICTED SUNDAY SERVICE CHALLENGE TO MINISTER (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 5. In spite of the threat of deregistration by the Minister of Labour, Mr P. C. Webb, the Auckland Drivers’ Union, at a general meeting to-night, decided to support the bus drivers’ original resolution to carry only essential workers on Sundays until the proprietors agree to their demands for double time, a guaranteed minimum of eight hours’ work, and no change in the present rosters for days off. The secretary of the union, Mr L. G. Matthews, said that the men intended to operate a restricted service between' 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., next Sunday. He advised members of the general public not to attempt to ride in the workers’ buses.

The union had agreed to support any action of the bus drivers’ section to bring the dispute with the omnibus proprietors to a successful conclusion, Mr Matthews said. The full union had endorsed the proposals of the bus drivers for Sunday work, and, although it knew it faced the risk of deregistration, it was prepared to accept the consequences of its action.

“If the Minister gives effect to his threat we intend to maintain our organisation, even in the face of the War Emergency Regulations,” Mr Matthews added.