Price rise cleaning talks key

Press, 7 December 1976, Page 3

Price rise cleaning talks key

PA Wellington! Employers in the cleaning! Industry — faced with an | 11.25 per cent wages claim by | the cleaners’ union — are I hoping for Government auth-i ority to break the price freeze) and increase their charges before wage talks resume form-] ally in Auckland on Monday. A reply to an application by the Master Cleaners’ Association for the right tn increase charges may be given this week, and it seems that this is essential if a settlement of the union claims is to be reached in the conciliation talks. The union’s national secretary (Mr Des Clark) said yesterday that although the union was claiming an 11.25 per cent increase in wages — in order to give workers wage parity with State cleaners — it would “go to conciliation prepared to negotiate.” “I am certain we will come up with something which will achieve a settlement," said Mr Clark. Industry sources said yes-

terday that permission to break the price freeze appeared to be essential for a settlement at the talks. It is understood that applications before the Govern ment are related to a joint agreement for a 4 per cent wage increase for hospital workers negotiated bv the Hotel and Hospital Workers’ I 1 In.n. onrl iho la<t in

equal pay. Both of these rises have seriously affected the profitability of the highlv labour intensive cleaning industry.

The union has said consistently that wage rates in the private sector trail those paid to State cleaners by 11.25 per cent, hut it. was agreed bv Mr Clark veslerday that the earning rates of the industry

would have to improve if employers were to be in a position to negotiate effectively on Monday. The secretary of the Canterbury branch of the union (Mr G. Cumming) said yesterday that his executive and officials were “highly delighted” at the response by cleaners to the 24-hour strike from midnight last Thursday.