’Sad day* for forestry staff

Press, 19 October 1976, Page 13

’Sad day* for forestry staff

PA Nelson Forest Service employees in Nelson will support a work-to-rule if other avenues fail in their claims for meaningful negotiations on salary and

The chairman of the Nelson branch of the Public Service Association (Mr E. G. Russell) said in a statement that a meeting

of Forest Service employees in the forestry and forest management occupational groups had been held to discuss claims about salaries and conditions. claims which had been delayed because the State Services Commission had refused to accept the existence of “exceptional

circumstances,” as required by the WagesAdjustment Regulations.

“The claims are based on the incomplete findings of the Pay Research Unit and also on information obtained by the group members,” said Mr Russell. “It was not possible for the Pay Research Unit to complete its survey of these groups because of the refusal of a major

employer to co-operate with the unit. “Members are understandably upset by their employer's attempt to hide behind the regulations, particularly as the history of this claim can be traced to the very early 19705, when these groups were fobbed off with the promise of the pay-research exercise.

“The meeting, by unanimous resolution, condemned the attitude of the employing authority, and directed that the Minister of Forests be informed of the content of the resolutions and asked to direct the State Services Commission to enter into meaningful negotiations on the claims. Members present unanimously ' supported a work-to-rule if other avenues fail.

“It is a sad day when conservative, professional, and semi-professional groups such as these have to use these measures in conjunction with the Public Service Association to obtain meaningful negotiations on a well-docu-mented and justifiable claim,” Mr Russell said.