DRIVERS' STRIKE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 136, 25 June 1937, Page 5

DRIVERS' STRIKE

Prega Association.)

Auckland Petrol-Distributing Fleet 40-HOUR WEEK CLAIMED

(By Telegraph—.

AUCKLAND, This Day. The whole of the Auckland petroldistrdbuting fleet was tied up this morning as the result of drivers ceasing work as a prote&t against not being granted a 40-hour week. Forty drivers in Auckland City were affected. A coaference is in progress between representatives of tho union and the eompanies in an endeavour to efleet ■ a settlement. The men concerned are covered by the Northern Taranaki} Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Southland and Otago motor and horse drivers' award, and drivers employed throughout New Zealand number 4000. Representatives of the union contend that under their award they are entitled to a 40-hour week instead of a 44-hour week, and they say that they are seeking retrospective payment from December 21 last, when the award came into force. The possibility of trouble developcng was known to a number of garages and petrol-retailers during the week, and extra eupplies were laid in. The conference held this morning between representatives of oil companies and the nnion proved abortive. The Concildation Commissioner, who presided, said that no statement would be made. There does not appear to be an immediate danger of shortage of petrol supplies in Auckland, but the position nevertheless is viewed with concern. ; The manager of an Auckland taxi company operating 200 cars said that those engaged in the taxi industry hoped for a speedy settlement, as, despite the large stocks carried, the position was likely soon to become serious.