Directors “Willing, Anxious For Talks”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30277, 1 November 1963, Page 12

Directors “Willing, Anxious For Talks”

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Oct. 31. Commenting on the latest development in the T.E.A.L. dispute, the airline’s chairman, Sir Andrew McKee, said he fully supported the statement made by the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) tonight. The company’s executives were stUl “ready, willing, and anxious” to sit down at the negotiating table with the pilots’ representatives just the moment the strike threat was removed, he said. “This is the third time the company has made this point,” said Sir Andrew McKee. “We cannot negotiate under a strike threat, but we are only too willing to do so immediately the threat is removed.”

On July 25, the Airline Pilots’ Association submitted its formal proposal to the company, asking that in future T.E.A.L. pilots’ claims be considered under a separate award, said Sir Andrew McKee

On August 23, the pilots were told the matter would be referred to the next monthly meeting of the company’s board. On August 30, the company’s board, on the advice of the management, favoured continuation of the existing single award covering both domestic and overseas airline pilots, and considered that the interests of the industry would be so better served. This was conveyed to the pilots. In its reply, dated September 6, the company suggested the pilots might properly bring this question before the Arbitration Court when the award, which expired on September 30. 1963, was due for renewal.

“In other words, we told the pilots quite plainly that

we were inviting them to submit their claims and the reasons for them for consideration through approved channels,” said Sir Andrew McKee.

The present strike threat was not only a breach of the terms of the old award—which by law remained in force until replaced by a new one—and, therefore, illegal, but was also very much against the best interests of the country, the company, and the pilots’ fellow employees in T.E.A.L. “We understand that the key issue from the pilots’ point of view is the question of a separate award,” he said. “If the pilots had gone to arbitration and given the Court adequate reasons for this request, they may well have secured their wishes. A separate award can only be arranged through the proper channels, which do not include striking. Recission

While I do not view the board’s resolution of August 30 as in any way tying the hands of the management in negotiations, the board is prepared to rescind the resolution, thus removing any possible doubt that may remain in the minds of the pilots that it might be an obstacle to negotiations.” Sir Andrew McKee said the company deeply regretted the inconvenience a strike would cause to the travelling public and the harm it would do the pilots and the country generally. However, he was confident the great body of public opinion in New Zealand would agree with him that industrial disputes should be resolved by goodwill, fair play, and a willingness to negotiate and compromise, and not by threats and intimidation.