New hope in vexed union talk

Press, 5 July 1977, Page 6

New hope in vexed union talk

( PA Wellington The Cabinet, yesterday ratified an agreement between the Wellington Trades Council and the Minister of Labour (Mr Gordon) to reopen negotiations to give the deregistered Boilermakers’ Union representation. Mr Gordon said last evening that the agreement, reached at a meeting between himself and the Trades Council last Friday, would enable negotiations to be reopened with the council “as to how the work-force will obtain representation by a union.” He declined to give further details. However, the Trades Council had given an assurance that boilermakers would return to work after an exchange of letters between the Minister and the council, he said. “The Government said it would not talk if the men were not working,” said Mr; Gordon. “We’re now back to where' we were about a fortnight; ago.” Mr Gordon said he had not yet contacted the president of the Wellington Trades Council (Mr Pat Kelly) to tell him of the Cabinet decision to( ratify the agreement. How-} ever, he had spoken to Mr Kelly, who is sick in bed,} before the Cabinet session. } He was willing to talk with; the council “at the earliest! opportunity,” he said.! “They only have to ask, and I will trv to slot them in.” “I think that as long as. there is a flow of communication, the picture is quite optimistic,” said Mr Gordon. He was adamant though that the Government would not recognise the Wellington; Boilermakers’ Society as a( union.