Direct bargaining likely — F.O.L.

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33741, 14 January 1975, Page 3

Direct bargaining likely — F.O.L.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 13. The Federation of Labour agreement with the Government on wages policy would probably have to be discarded this year, and direct bargaining reinstituted, said the secretary of the F.O.L. (Mr W. J. Knox) todav.

“Many of the federa-i tioifs affiliates are already demanding this. Me have got to have a good hard look at the wage restriction policy. It cannot be allowed io continue,” Mr Knox said.

When the F.O.L. met the Government’s request over wages, it had done so on the assurance that price control measures would be instituted — but these had not been achieved, he said. Many schemes “The fact is that the Government said it would bring down a policy. Seven or eight schemes have been tried by the Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr Freer), and what success have these had? None.” The business community was recovering the costs of the 4 per cent cost-of-living order to apply from January 15 even before it became effective for workers. At the same time, workers were facing reduced incomes l

because of loss of overtime and shorter working weeks, and could not be permitted to remain as the lone carriers of the economic burden.

Mr Knox said that the F.O.L. must be prepared to act on wages and costs when the present restriction on wages terminated in July.

“A return to direct bargaining by trade unions and employers in wages and conditions has always been the policy of the federation.

“We have carried out our part of the bargain with the Government, but now we must have a close hard look at where we are going,” said Mr Knox.