Tanker Drivers Resume Work

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 3

Tanker Drivers Resume Work

(Neu? Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, June 24.

Auckland petrol-tanker drivers decided early this afternoon to resume deliveries. They voted in favour of a resumption of duties after the oil companies had agreed to meet them in Wellington on July 4 to discuss their request for a separate industrial award for tanker drivers.

Deliveries of fuel to essential services resumed this afternoon and the drivers indicated their willingness to work during the week-end.

About 20 of the 120 to today's special meeting called by the Northern Driver’s Union to examine a Labour Department suggestion that they resume work, pending discussions voted against a resolution recommending a return.

The drivers’ decision has averted a major stoppage of the city’s passenger and heavy-cartage industries and averted possible stoppages in industry. A meeting of the drivers will be held immediately the delegates appointed for the Wellington talks return to Auckland.

The secretary of the Northern Drivers’ Union (Mr G. H. Andersen) said the basis of the discussion in Wellington would be to establish the correct course and procedure for the preparation of a national, but preferably Auckland, award for the tanker drivers.

The meeting will be under the chairmanship of the Sec-

retary of Labour (Mr H. Parsonage) who last night indicated his willingness to act in discussions between the driver and the companies.

Mr Andersen confirmed this afternoon that meetings of oil-tanker drivers in Hamilton, Mount Maunganui and Dunedin had indicated their support for the Auckland drivers. “But we have not been soliciting support from other areas.”

He was critical of the oil Companies’ attitude in refusing to allow the drivers to deliver fuel to essential industries. He described this as “arrogant.”