Federation Lowers Demands

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 1

Federation Lowers Demands

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Nov. 23. The Federation of Woodpulp and Paper Products Workers will make a determined bid tomorrow to settle the strike in New Zealand Forest Products, Ltd., Plants. The federation, it is understood, is prepared to lower its rate demands and to shift a little on the retrospective payment claim. These, and the shift allowance demand, are believed to be the main issues preventing an agreement.

At Tuesday’s inconclusive meeting with the employers

and the Woodpulp Paper and Board Manufacturers' Union of Employers, the federation had dropped to 5 per cent or 4}d increase in the hourly rate.

The shift allowance claim was dropped to 255, but with the increases back dated to the beginning of August. The company offered a basic increase of 3d an hour and a shift allowance of 22s 6d a week, but no retrospective payment. The federation will meet representatives of the other unions whose members work at the company in Auckland later tomorrow.

Then the federation, if the other unions agree, will probably ask the company to meet

it again and the proposal will be submitted.

Offers Rejected

Meanwhile, the 1300 rank-and-file members have almost unanimously rejected the company's recent offers. Mass meetings at Whakatane, Kinleith and Penrose all voted for a continuation of the strike. Mr C. Glendening, secretary of the federation, said tonight that he addressed an early morning meeting of about 225 timber workers at Murupara who gave their full support and promised moral and financial help. Mr P. J. Jefferies, a branch secretary, said that at the Penrose meeting £l5O was given to help support members. Already certain sections of

the other 2000 N.Z. Forest Products, Ltd. employees have had their overtime cut and are working an eighthour day.

The employers’ union said its composite proposal now rested with the federation as did its earlier suggestion that unresolved matters be settled by an independent arbitrator. New Approach Likely

At Kawerau, where 450 more pulp and paper workers employed by the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company are on strike, the Northern Federation of Woodpulp Paper and Paper Products Workers are expecting the company to make a fresh approach following Tuesday’s inconclusive talks in the town.

A statement by the northern federation, to which the men belong, said the company’s latest offer was considered very small and conditional. The offer was less than that obtained in the last agreement, although profits earned by the company had gone up by 8 per cent in the last two years.

The Tasman company said today it was quite emphatic that it was unable to offer increased earnings on anything approaching the scale envisaged except from the proceeds of increased productivity.