Power Shut-Down ‘No Idle Threat’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30900, 5 November 1965, Page 1

Power Shut-Down ‘No Idle Threat’

A meeting of the electricity staff from the Lake Coleridge, Hororata and Highbank power stations on Wednesday evening decided to call on its central committee to support a 24-hour national shut-down of power stations under the direction of the national executive of the Public Service Association.

“Members at these three power stations consider that

because they have to occupy the houses as part of their job, they should not have to pay any rent at all, and the basis of any further negotiations should be concentrated on having all rental charges removed,” said the chairman of the Canterbury section of the P.S.A. (Mr J. M. McKenzie).

“The meeting on Wednesday evening reaffirmed its adamant opposition to the Government’s proposals to increase departmental house rents, and determined that unless there is a firm undertaking by the State Services Commission not to interfere with the rents, then some serious form of direct action should be organised through the association’s leadership,” he said.

“The States Services Commission and the Minister of Electricity (Mr Shand) may be assured that electricity group members mean exactly what they say and this is no idle threat that calls for any facetious remark from Mr Shand that ‘he has been threatened by experts.’ “Perhaps if Mr Shand took the trouble to tour over the power stations, he would be able to familiarise himself with the problems of these workers, who give up many amenities to live in isolated areas so that industry may have the power so necessary to the country’s economy. “Mr Shand might then be able to look at this matter with something of a sympathetic view instead of ‘kicking his workers in the teeth’,” Mr McKenzie said. Any shut-down would be

properly organised with full regard to the protection of such places as hospitals, he said.

The P.S.A. executive was prepared to support direct action if, in the circumstances ,it was considered necessary. The Canterbury section had already reported its opposition to rental increase and was expected to support the electricity workers, as would other sub-groups involved, such as mental hospital, prison and forestry workers, Mr McKenzie said.

“The time for talking Is finished, and unless there is a change of heart on the part of those responsible for these impositions, then the responsibility for what takes place will lie at the door of the Government and the State Services Commission,” he said.