F.O.L. LIFTS BAN ON LOADING

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29233, 17 June 1960, Page 12

F.O.L. LIFTS BAN ON LOADING

Five-Point Proposal Accepted (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 16. The ban imposed by the Federation of Labour nine days ago on the loading of meat for export has been lifted. The Minister of Labour (Mr Hackett) announced this tonight. Employers’ and workers’ representatives today accepted a five-point proposal made by the Secretary of Labour (Mr H. L. Bockett) on behalf of the Government this morning. Terms of the proposal are:— (1) The loading-out ban to be withdrawn immediately.

(2) The compromise date from which incorporation of the 24 per cent, general wage increase applies to be submitted to voluntary arbitration by Mr S. W. Armstrong, the Conciliation Commissioner.

(3) The term of the award to be to June 30,1961. (4) The employers’ other claims to be dropped. (5) The documents to be signed tomorrow in the form of a complete settlement and referred to the Clerk of Awards. (These documents refer to the partial settlement reached in conciliation on May 27. The workers’ advocate, Mr F. P. Walsh, had earlier refused to sign them).

Mr Hackett said the major issue in the dispute—the date from which incorporation should apply—would be settled by voluntary arbitration with Mr Armstrong as arbitrator. “This procedure is entirely in accordance with the normal practice that has been followed in the past in the settlement of major disputes where the parties themselves are unable to agree,” Mr Hackett said. "I feel it would have been a great pity if negotiations had broken down just at the stage when it seemed the parties were on the verge of obtaining a satisfactory settlement of the dispute,” Mr Hackett said.

“For this reason the Government took the responsibility of conveying to both sides a proposal which I sincerely feel will provide a very fair and satisfactory basis 'or the settlement of the dispute.” The Federation of Labour and the freezing workers had earlier claimed that the freezing companies had agreed to make the incorporation of the 24 per cent, effective from February B—the date on which the union first applied to the Arbitration Court for incorporation. The employers denied they made this agreement. Mr Walsh had said the ban on loading out would not be lifted till the freezing companies honoured th? agreement he claims they made. The Court of Arbitration fixed the expiry date of the old freezing workers' award at April 30. But it has no power to back-date incorporation of the 24 per cent, general wage order beyond April 30. Mr Armstrong, however, can now fix a date between February 8 and May 1. Today’s settlement was an outcome of protracted talks between representatives of the freezing companies and workers in Mr Bockett’s office last night. The main aim of the talks was to get the ban lifted so the parties could meet under Mr Armstrong this afternoon. Employers’ representatives had refused to meet till the ban was lifted. But the talks ended at 9.30 p.m. yesterday without agreement and the ban still on. Representatives of the freezing companies later met Mr Hackett and the Prime

Minister (Mr Nash) in Parliament Buildings. This meeting ended early this morning with Mr Bockett describing negotiations as being at a very delicate stage.

Mr Bockett’s five-point proposal was delivered to the parties this morning, and he received word of their acceptance late this afternoon. There was no indication tonight when Mr Armstrong will arbitrate on the date of incorporation, but Mr Hackett will probably announce this within the next few days. Commenting on the settlement Mr J. B. Walton, secretary of the North Island Freezing Companies’ Association, said: “We are satisfied. I don’t think it calls tor more comment.” Mr Walsh cc Id not be reached.