Operators Lose Transport Jobs

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 12

Operators Lose Transport Jobs

(New Zealand Press Association)

GREYMOUTH, May 14. About 10 transport operators, some of them engaged for 20 years on road work for the Ministry of Works on the West Coast, have lost their jobs. This came after the suspension of work in the area between Arahura and Waiho from Monday. The West Coast branch of the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance has been advised that from Monday, all owner-driver truck operators normally engaged by the Ministry of Works in this section of' the West Coast will not be required And, said the secretary (Mr W. Clancy) yesterday, they would not be required for some considerable time. The reason given for this move, he eaid. was that the financial allocation for this year would not permit the continued engagement of trucks on new projects "It is serious—a minor Blackball catastrophe so far as these men are concerned " he said. Insecurity Some of the men had beer engaged on this work for 20 years and the licences had existed for that time. The men had their 'tapmes in the district and their capital was invested in their trucks, which would be rendered virtually useless and idle by this order, he said. It would be a financial blow to nil the men, and wou.d cause a feeling of insecurity to develop. “What can they do now?

he asked. “Are they to pack up and leave the district? "They cannot undertake any other work with their trucks," Mr Clancy said. “Their licences restrict them only to work for the Mnistry of Works in this, their own particular area.” Representations Mr Clancy said that the alliance would make representations to Mr P Blanchfield. M.P.. and to the Government to secure work for the men who had been so abruptly thrown out of employment. He said that the men were engaged on road maintenance, building bridge approaches, and widening corners on the South Westland highway. It is not known whether the dismissal of the truck operators will mean a similar fate for Ministry of Works employees who worked in ccn.iunction with the ownerdrivers.