10-Point Plan For The “Workers’ Needs”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 15

10-Point Plan For The “Workers’ Needs”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 19. “This is not a class war—it is recognition of the class struggle and of the workers' needs,” the secretary of the Federation of Labour (Mr K. McL. Baxter) said yesterday when releasing a 10point plan aimed at improving the living standards and earnings of workers. The plan seeks an adequate living wage for a family of four for 40 hours* work, mandatory Court of Arbitration wage increases as production volume and productivity increase, and equal- general wage order pay rises for men and women.

A major point is aimed at making Government employees again subject to general vage orders issued by the Court Point nine informs the Government that the policy of all organised labour “is for emphasis on direct

taxation as against indirect taxation.” The final point informs the Government and employers* organisations of the intention of the parties to the meeting to give the widest possible information to their members on “these claims of the wage and salary earners in the interests of themselves, their wives, families and relatives and of peace, harmony, economy, and national security of New Zealand.” Mr Baxter said a small

representative committee was set up by the conference and this would act with research experts to survey increases in primary and industrial production. The committee would work to organise wage and salary earners throughout New Zealand.

The plan, approved at one of the biggest joint national union conferences for many years, is also up for action at the annual conference of the federation in May.