Drivers concerned about reduction

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32715, 18 September 1971, Page 18

Drivers concerned about reduction

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 17. The Drivers’ Federation today expressed concern about the Remuneration Authority’s reduction in an increase of rates of pay for drivers covered by the general drivers’ award.

The secretary of the federation (Mr W. J. Welsh) said about 10,000 drivers throughout the country would now be working for a lower rate than other drivers doing similar work.

The parties to the award lodged an application with the authority for an increase of 7 per cent, but the authority reduced the increase to 6 per cent. Mr Welsh said that in the negotiations on the award the employers had agreed with the drivers’ assessors that an analysis of drivers’ awards, covering the Timbei and Dairy Workers’ Union drivers, justified an adjustment to assist in reducing the gap, and therefore had agreed to a 7 per cent increase.

“The increase still left a lower rate for the general drivers than for others in the industry, and now the authority’s action in reducing the percentage has worsened the position,” Mr Welsh said

He said that under the Stabilisation of Remuneration Act one of the principles to be observed was to make

minimum adjustments to remove or relieve serious anomalies, and this was the procedure followed by employers and employees during negotiations. Mr Welsh said there was no right of appeal against the authority’s decision.