Arbitration urged in cool store dispute

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33448, 1 February 1974, Page 18

Arbitration urged in cool store dispute

( Vew Zealand Press Association)

TIMARU, January 31.

The watersiders’ ban on the port of Timaru should be lifted immediately so that arbitration could begin, the member of Parliament for South Canterbury (Mr R. L. G. Talbot) said today.

In a telegram to the Undersecretary of Labour (Mr Isbey) Mr Talbot said he had met the South Canterbury iCool Store Workers’ Union ; today, and had obtained an assurance that the union would abide by the decision •I of the Court of Arbitration. “I am satisfied justice will ■‘then be done to all parties ’■ involved.” Mr Talbot said.

Mr Talbot said in a state- • ment: “My meeting today was I held at the request of the ’ South Canterbury Cool Store i Workers’ Union. The union i has rnaoe a fair and reasoncable request in asking for the II ban by watersiders to be . lifted unconditionally. I: “It is important that the > Government now uses all the power at its disposal, and insists that the six-month ban by watersiders be lifted immediately. “Any weakness at this stage by the Government in giving way to the pressures of a large union would have a serious effect on the de- ■ velopment of efficient eargo- ! handling facilities. The > Government has the responsibility to see that the due pro- ■ cesses of law are abided by, ■ and to give all parties in- ■ volved equal rights on even r ground to have this issue resolved. I “If Government continues ■ to pass the buck it will be 1 failing in its duty to give a ) lead in resolving a relatively small dispute which could 1 escalate into one affecting the > future efficient handling of > produce at ports, stores, and - container depots throughout New Zealand,” Mr Talbot . said.