‘No Excuse' For Glenbrook Strike, Says Mr Shand

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31987, 14 May 1969, Page 32

‘No Excuse' For Glenbrook Strike, Says Mr Shand

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 13. The stoppage by 90 electricians at the Glenbrook steel mill could only reflect adversely on the whole trade union movement, the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) said in a statement tonight.

The stoppage could also cast doubt on the good faith of all agreements entered into between management and workers, he said.

Expressing grave concern about the further interruption of work at the steel mill, Mr Shand said. “The whole basis of an orderly relationship in industry between management and workers is the assumption that both parties will honour the agreements they have entered into. “If the integrity of agreements is to be ignored industrial chaos must result.” At Glenbrook, said Mr Shand, agreements had been signed between unions and employers providing that in the event of any disagreement, disputes procedures set out in the agreements should be followed without a stop-, page of work. These procedures provided for direct discussion between union and employer, and if this was not successful, for further discussion in a conciliation committee while normal work continued. “Even if there were a dispute between the electricians

and the employer at Glenbrook there would be no excuse for a stoppage.

“In fact, there is no such dispute,” Mr Shand said. “One must recognise that no procedures work perfectly, and one must be prepared to exercise a certain amount of tolerance.

“But a continuation of the present stoppage by the electricians at Glenbrook can only reflect upon the whole trade union movement and cast doubt on the good faith of all such agreements.”

Work was back to normal

at the New Zealand Steel site near Waiuku today after the retraction of the remark that the job was, “a weeping industrial sore,” made on Friday by the president of Auckland Electrical Contractors' Association, Mr G. Bishop. However, more than 500 electricians are still on strike in Auckland over pay rates. They met this afternoon and decided not to return to work. At Glenbrook, the 90 electricians are still on strike.

Mr Bishop’s remark was made in general comment on

a strike by contractors’ electricians for more pay. After Mr Bishop’s remark had been discussed at the steel site yesterday, the men walked off the job in protest and at the same time asked for a withdrawal or an apology.

The electricians’ strike will enter its eighth day tomorrow.