Fuel Truck Drivers’ Strike Turns Into Lively Picket – First Union

It’s day four of the fuel tanker strike and SouthFuel truck drivers are picketing their workplace.

Bargaining broke down following mediation last week but drivers want to return to the table, and to return to work so have organised a picket for this morning.  SouthFuels delivers fuel and lubricants to the primary industries in Christchurch and its drivers have been on strike since Sunday; the company refuses to agree to less than industry standard requests.  The drivers will be outside SouthFuels on the corner of Halswell Junction & Edmonton Rd , Hornby from 11am to 12:30pm. Local media are invited to attend.

FIRST Union Transport Organiser Justin Wallace says drivers at several large companies with collective agreements all get time and a ¼ when they work over a full time work week (40 hours) and these companies make up almost all fuel delivery drivers in New Zealand.

“Overtime allowances ensure the long-hours drivers work – away from their personal lives – is compensated for. Drivers at Southfuels, in a compromise, have requested time and a ¼ when they clock over 50 hours but it has been refused by the company, despite it being standard for collective contracts in the industry.”

Mr Wallace says the drivers are in high spirits and just want to get on with the job.

“They just want a fair deal, they like their jobs and just want to get on with the job but need the allowances in place to protect against the company requiring them to work ever longer hours.”