Employers chide Sir Thomas

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 2

Employers chide Sir Thomas

PA Wellington The president of the Federation of Labour (Sir Thomas Skinner) has been asked to put aside one day each month for informal meetings with the Employers’ Federation.

The request came from) the executive director of the Federation (Mr J. W. Rowe), in answer to criticism last I week by Sir Tom that the; two organisations never meti informally. . It was al! very well, said* Mr Rowe, for Sir Tom to announce in a speech to Tamaki Rotarians that this I year could be the worst for industrial troubles, and to blame it on the breakdown! in communications between j worker and management. I

“But when he cannot find the time to keep communication going at the top and set an example, he shouldn’t blame either my federation or anyone else,” said Mr! Rowe. | "The ball’s in Sir Tom’s) i court, and it has been there ifor some time,” he said. i “Sir Tom has had numerjous personal invitations for! 'a chat about the many (issues of mutual concern, 'and he has expressed interest but never come back to I us.” i Mr Rowe agreed that it I was important that the two| I organisations discuss issues ) 'at they loomed, and before) [they brought unions and' employers into confrontation.