WHO ORDERED STOP WORK MEETING?

Chronicle (Levin), 10 May 1947, Page 5

WHO ORDERED STOP WORK MEETING?

CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. The stop-work meeting of member* of tlie Christchurch Tramway Workers Pnion sclieduled for next Tuesday morning, has been called off by the union. The union and Christehurcli Tramway Board deeided today to meei on Mondav morning to discuss the union 's demand for the payment of 2.id a shift for night workers at the sheds. "If no agreement is reached at the meeting the setting up of a disputes eomniittee will follow," said the presi dent of the union, Mr. L. C. Routhon. "The establishment of a disputes eomniittee under the terms of the award, ii negotiations break down, has been agreed to by the board 's general man ager, AT r. J. F. Fardell," said Mr Routhon. "The proeo.dure now being followeo was contained in instructions from na tional headquarters of the Tramway Workers' Union." The cliairman of the Christchurcn ^gJVamway Board, Mr. H. A. ('. Nortn, said the board was mystified as to who called the stop-work meeting for Tuesday. Mr. Xorth said that today the national secretary of the Tramway Workers' Union, Mr. P. Hansen, teteplioned Mr. Fardell asking whai the trouble was in Christchurch as lie hau lieard that there was to be a stop work meeting. Mr. Fardell told M r. Hansen that he ought to know about it as the stop-work meeting liad been called by his own national office. Mr. Hansen denied this and said that all tlie matters in dispute should be dean with , eonstitutionally and through the machinery provided. "I am going to accept full responsi "hilitv for calling the stop-work meei ing," said the secretary of the Chrisi church Tramway "Workers' Union, Mr N. R. Forbes, who resented Mi. North's reference to raystification bv cause he had made it plain to Mr. Far dell that he was only the secretary of the branch and was "aeting on instruc tions issued to him."