BLUFF PAY CUT No work on extensions’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33521, 30 April 1974, Page 3

BLUFF PAY CUT No work on extensions’

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 29. The Wages Tribunal has substantially amended an agreement covering construction of extensions to the Bluff aluminium smelter.

No work would start on the site until another agreement has been made, said the national secretary of the Engineers’ Union (Mr J. A. Boomer) thus evening.

The industrial agreement ;had been made between the [New Zealand construction company and Six unions covering wages and conditions on the s3om Tiwai Point smelter expansion project. Those involved are the engineers, drivers, general electrical workers, general builders and labourers, plumbers and gasfitters, and carpenters’ unions. Allowance down Mr Boomer said the triIbunal had cut a special payament allowance of 41.08 c lan hour to 22.3 c. The payiment also now does not attract penal rates, as it dia in I the freely negotiated agreement.

"On behalf of the associated unions, 1 can say we will not be signing the amended agreement,” Mr Boomer said.

"Until we have reached a new, complete agreement on all matters with the company, the job won’t start.” This was likely to be discussed at a meeting with the employers this week.

Mr Boomer said the Tiwai job was recognised by a former Minister of Labour (Mr Marshall) as an approved undertaking, meaning that the project is exempt from awards and requiring an agreement. The tribunal, in its decision. had said that agreement carried implications for the whole construction industry.

However, the unions were making a year-long agreement covering about 400 workers, and the existing construction agreements in New Zealand were already due for renegotiation. Several suggestions made by the tribunal could "possibly” be discussed at the unions-company meeting this week. Mr Boomer said. Construction at Tiwai was to have started at the beginning of this month.

Conference.— Nearly 3000 Lions Club members from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Western Samoa met in Auckland during the weekend for the organisation’s national annual convention. Captain A. Grieve, of Timaru, was elected international director for the Australasian and Pacific section for a twoyear term. Next year’s conference will be" held in Christchurch.