Tanker Dispute May Affect Factories

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31085, 14 June 1966, Page 18

Tanker Dispute May Affect Factories

(New Zealand Press Association > AUCKLAND, June 13. Auckland suburban service stations were selling five times their usual Monday quota of petrol, and one station displayed a “sorry, no petrol” sign out today, the third day of the stoppage by 120 petrol tanker drivers in the Auckland district.

Garages were busier than usual most of the afternoon and early evening, but the main rush was after the television news at 7.30 p.m.

Industry was also affected by the decision of the 120 tanker drivers this morning to continue at least until tomorrow morning the stoppage which began on Friday night.

Work at the Westfield Freezing Company stopped at noon because of a shortage of oil, and more companies using oil-fired furnaces may be in trouble tomorrow.

The stoppage extends from Wellsford in the north throughout Metropolitan Auckland to Huntly in the south. Only emergency deliveries of oil to such places as hospitals, children’s homes and the gas company were made this afternoon.

In the morning the Northern Drivers’ Union approved deliveries to more than 20 works and factories which might otherwise have had to close.

These were stopped in the afternoon when the oil companies refused to accept such differentiation, and decided to make only “emergency” deliveries. The secretary of the union (Mr G. H. Anderson) said approaches made today by the oil companies were not satisfactory.

The companies had offered to meet the union after July 19, the date negotiations for the Motor and Horse Drivers’ Award were scheduled to continue.

“We are seeking a separate

award for oil drivers,” said Mr Anderson. “What we want now is a preliminary conference, but so far we can get no more than telephone calls.” Mr Anderson said he had authority to represent the Drivers' Federation in discussions with the oil companies. The oil companies said today that they regarded the present conciliation proceedings as the proper medium for the union to present claims for improved wages and working conditions. “The companies are not prepared to negotiate with the Northern Drivers' Union alone until these proceedings have been completed,” the companies said. “Even then, discussions would be on a New Zealand-wide basis with the intent of establishing a New

Zealand oil drivers’ award.” The 120 tanker drivers involved in the stoppage will meet tomorrow morning to consider further action. UNION PROTESTS

A strong protest at the action of the oil companies in refusing to make deliveries of fuel oil to industry this afternoon would be made tomorrow, the secretary of the Auckland Freezing Workers’ Union, Mr T. P. Kelly, said tonight. “Everyone cries that we are ruining the economy of the country whenever we hold a stoppage,” said Mr Kelly. “Yet the oil companies decide to halt freezing works’ production at a time when everyone is working at full capacity at the peak of the beef killing season.”

Mr Kelly said the protest would be made in the strongest terms to the oil companies and to the Government.