STRONG DISAPPROVAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 119, 18 April 1940, Page 6

STRONG DISAPPROVAL

UNION OFFICIAL’S ACTION. CHAIRMAN’S CRITICISM. Strong disapproval of the action of the Fire Brigade Union secretary concerning a fireman’s acceptance of a, position with another brigade while on extended leave, in order to fill vacai Ar cies caused by the depletion of staff through enlistments, was expressed at a meeting of the Palmerston North Eire Board to-day. It was stated that there was no justification for the secretary’s action. A ‘letter from, the superintendent, oi the Hawcra Fire Brigade said that it appeared that the award had been contravened in the matter of a fireman accepting a relieving appointment while on extended leave. The Hawera Brigade had its staff depleted because of enlistments, and employed tins man, from the Palmerston North Brigade, 1 while lie was on extended leave. Air L. Glover, the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union secretary, had -intimated that, provided the position was remedied, no action would he taken, and after consultation with the chairman and secretary of the Hawera Board the fireman who was acting there was released, although he was disappointed and expressed his willingness to give his services without pay. The Hawera superintendent understood from what Air Glover had said that the Palmerston North Board was fighting the issue of extended leave. It seemed that a similar position to that which had arisen at Hawera had occurred at the Centennial Exhibition. \ . . “This is a ease of unwarrantod v'interference,” said the chairman (Air‘A. K. Alansford). “The Government wants enlistments yet this occurs. It is time this sort of" tiling was brought before the Government so that it can he shown what is being done by secretaries of trade unions.” It was decided, on ATr Alansford ’s motion, that the Hawera superintendent he advised that tile board did not think Air Glover’s interpretation of the award was correct, and did not think he would be supported in Court. It was also decided to send a copy of the correspondence to tlie Alinister concerned.