Union’s Statement “Irresponsible”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30919, 27 November 1965, Page 1

Union’s Statement “Irresponsible”

“Mr Southon’s latest statement, which affirms that passenger bus services will cease to run throughout New Zealand in Christmas week unless all day-off rosters in all centres in New Zealand are acceptable to the union, is a totally irresponsible one, and shows a total disregard of the terms of the award for settling disputes which Mr Southon says was signed by the employees and the employers in June last,” said Mr J. R. Smith, chairman of the Christchurch Transport Board, in a statement last evening.

“It was inconceivable that 98 per cent of the union membership would vote to deprive themselves of their wages in the week before Christmas,” said Mr Smith.

“It would be interesting to know the wording of the ballot question in each of the centres, and what number of men the 98 per cent represents,” said Mr Smith.

“The union’s decision also shows a complete lack of consideration for the public they serve. If the union members do stop work as threatened then they and they alone will be responsible for the inconvenience and hardships caused because the employers have beer willing to have the matter resolved by the constitutional means available to both parties.

“There has been no change in the Christchurch method of rostering days off in weeks containing public holidays, a practice which the union has accepted for 30 years at least. The union has in the past made claims for payment for statutory holidays and to be off on those days. This is what has been done and our industry has varying requirements which have to be met in weeks containing statutory holidays. “I am sure there are many other workers in other industries who would like to have 30 paid holidays a year. “If the employers’ interpretation of what can be done differs from the union’s views then there is a proper way in which the dispute can be settled.

“The award of June, 1965, provides that ‘the essence of this award is that the work of the employer shall pro-

ceed in the customary manner and shall not on any account whatsoever be impeded. If any dispute or difference shall arise between the parties bound by this award and be not settled by mutual agreement every such dispute or difference shall be referred to a committee to be composed of three representatives from each side together with an independent chairman to be mutually agreed upon.’ “The dispute clause 39, also provides appeal rights to the Court of Arbitration if the decision of the committee or its chairman is not accepted by either party. “Throughout the present dispute the employers have notified the union that they are perfectly willing to have the matter determined by any of the constitutional means available. The employers are still willing to follow this course and I hope the union will take a more reasoned and reasonable attitude than it now proposes,” concluded Mr Smith.