MR WALSH’S OFFER

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 16

MR WALSH’S OFFER

Talks With Govt. Wanted (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 5. The Federation of Labour has called on all its affiliates, especially the transport unions, to support the striking railwaymen and to avoid doing any of the railwaymen’s work. The F.O.L. president (Mr F. P. Walsh) said tonight railway cargo should not be handled by affiliates, especially watersiders, seamen and drivers. The F.0.L., however, is prepared to direct the railwaymen back to work if the Government is prepared to hold a meeting with F.O.L. and Public Service Association representatives. Mr Walsh said the matter could be settled “without loss of face!”

He has appealed to the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) "at the eleventh hour," to meet the representatives on the Government's proposal to rescind the section of the Railways Act which makes it mandatory to pass on general wage orders to railway workers.

“If the Government agrees to this course, the F.O.L. will direct the railwaymen to resume normal work,” said Mr Walsh.

“Ift the opinion of the F.0.L.. the action of the Government in rescinding section 103 (3) of the act not only detrimentally affects the conditions of the railway workers, but of public servants and wage and salary-earners generally. “Surely in the interests of the country, having regard to its difficult position, its overseas balance of payments, the Prime Minister will be able to control his Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) and have the matters in dispute amicably discussed. “In the opinion of the B .O.L. it could be settled without any loss of face even to the Minister.”

The Drivers' Federation has also called for support. Tonight the secretary of the

Wellington Drivers’ Union *Mr C. Baileyi said the union was instructing all its members, truck and bus-drivers alike, not to perform work normally done by railwaymen.

“This applies to charter bus se.vices.” he said. "We warn members to guard particularly against any variation in their usual work and, in such cases, to seek the advice of their union first”