PLUMBERS’ DISPUTE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 12

PLUMBERS’ DISPUTE

Negotiation By F.O.L (NX. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 9. The Federation of Labour had taken over negotiations in a dispute between the New Zealand Plumbers’ and Gacfititers’ Union and their employers, the federation’s president (Mr F. P. Walsn) said today. He said he hoped that it would not be necessary to resort to direct action to settle the dispute. Mr Walsh said the Plumbers’ and Gasfitters’ Union met the executive of the federation this morning. Representatives of the Carpenters’, Drivers', and Waterskiers’ Unions and the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants were also present.

The union informed the meeting that negotiations with their employers for a new award had broken down, and requested the federation to take over the dispute.

“The federation is still hopeful that the employers’ representatives will see reason and agree to meet the representatives of the union and the F.O.L. to reopen negotiations and settle the matters in dispute,” Mr Walsh said.

"All the union is requesting is that the provisions of the existing award be retained. with a slight technical alteration in clause one which sets out the industry to which the award applies. “The national council of the Plumbers’ and Gasfitters’ Union held a meeting last night. It will now hold branch meetings throughout the country to appraise its members of the nature of the dispute,” he added.