Two unions drop threats

Press, 24 August 1976, Page 1

Two unions drop threats

PA Wellington Two unions have withdrawn threats of industrial action in an attempt to settle award disputes. They are the Fire Brigades Union and the Electrical Workers’ Union. The electrical workers had planned to impose a ban on “live wire’’ work from midnight last night. Damaged power lines would have been made safe, but no repairs would have been made. Future action by the electricity workers will hinge on a mee‘ing of the

Electrical Supply Authorities Association’s industrial committee on Friday. The electricians say thev are 3.5 per cent behind other State-employed electricians. This they see as an exceptional circumstance as required under the Wage Regulations. The supply authorities believe the regulations rule out a joint approach to the Industrial Commission on exceptional circumstances. The firemen threatened industrial action on four issues: The union wanted $lO,OOO life insurance cover

for fire fighters restarted; award negotiations begun; an award established for ancillary workers and station keepers, and adoption of an unqualified preference clause. The firemen withdrew their threat to refuse to enter burning industrial and commercial buildings last Fridav, after a meeting with the Fire Service Commission. The Secretary of Internal Affairs (Sir Patrick O’Dea) is acting chairman of the commission while Sir Jack Hunn is overseas. The secretary of the

Fire Brigades Union (Mr G. G. Walker said substantial progress had been made at last Friday’s meeting. The insurance cover was resolved but had to be approved by the Cabinet and the unqualified preference clause would be contained in the Fire Service Regulations. which will be introduced in the next few weeks. Mr Walker hoped the union’s other grievances would be settled during the award talks set down for September 16 and 17.