Aust.-N.Z. union action discussed

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33191, 3 April 1973, Page 16

Aust.-N.Z. union action discussed

i.X’cir Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 2.

Australian and New Zealand trade union leaders met in Wellington this evening to discuss co-ordinated action, including proposals for a scheme for cheap travel for New Zealand union members and their families.

The president of the Aust-; ralian Council of Trade; Unions (Mr R. J. Hawke) | arrived today with other council executives for a meet-; ing of the Australia-New Zea- 1 land Trade Union Co-ordinat-ing Council. Together with the president of the Federation of Labour (Mr T. E. Skinner), Mr Hawke indicated that a combined travel scheme would be discussed. Other proposals are for combined business enter- j prises, possibly including in-i surance. But the main item on the l

agenda appears to be what: co-ordinated union action will be taken in the event of: more French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Asked about trade union action during last year’s testing, Mr Hawke skirted a suggestion that Australian support had been lacking. “One of the reasons we are meeting now is to maximise the effectiveness of co-oper-ation,” he said. Mr Skinner said the com.rnittee would look at the ; issue of apartheid, and possibly the proposed Springbok !tour of New Zealand. |