PILOTS’ STRIKE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30269, 23 October 1963, Page 12

PILOTS’ STRIKE

Decision Remains

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct 22.

The management of Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd., has decided to place its dispute with the Airline Pilots’ Association in the hands of the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand).

After a meeting in Auckland today, the pilots said they were not prepared to call off the strike until their claims had been settled. The following statement was issued by the assistant general manager of T.E.A.L. (Captain J. R. McGrane) in Auckland tonight:—

“The company is both surprised and disappointed by the decision of die association to reaffirm its intention to take strike action instead of resolving any differences which may exist between the pilots and the company through the proper conciliation procedures. "The company has been, and still is. willing to enter into discussions with the Airline Pilots’ Association if the threat of strike action is withdrawn.

“The withdrawal of the threat of strike is an essential condition to the company’s willingness to enter into discussions. “However, as it appears that the pilots do not wish to adopt this course, the management of T.E.A.L. has decided to place the entire matter in the hands of the Minister of Labour,” the statement said.

The secretary of the Airline Pilots’ Association, Captain J. W. Dickinson, said tonight T.E.A.L.’s decision to place the dispute in the hands of the Minister of Labour “has not been officially communicated to me.”