F.O.L. Executive To Discuss Wage Order

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31549, 11 December 1967, Page 1

F.O.L. Executive To Discuss Wage Order

New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 10. The meeting tomorrow of the national executive of the Federation of Labour promises to be one of the stormiest for some time.

The item of contention on the agenda will be the question that is on every trade unionist’s mind—when to file an application with the Arbitration Court for a general wage order.

The executive’s delay in filing an application is causing considerable unrest in the trade union movement.

The Otago Trades Council last week accused the federation of “procrastination” in failing to apply for a wage order.

The Wellington Drivers’ Union has written to the executive complaining of inaction and the president of the federation (Mr T. E. Skinner) has been asked to speak to the national council meeting of the Engineers’ Union on Wednesday. A special meeting of the Electrical Workers’ Union is also expected to send a resolution to the executive meeting asking for a decision on the wage order issue. Mr Skinner said the executive was in the best position to decide if and when an application should be filed

and it was not going to be bullied into anything.

He said the decision when to file had been given to the executive by the federation’s national council.

The wage order was still under review, he said. Another subject likely to be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting is the Auckland Drivers’ dispute.