Inquiry into dispute

Press, 23 October 1978, Page 1

Inquiry into dispute

The Minister of Labour (Mr Gordon) announced yesterday the appointment of Mr W. R. Grills as a committee of inquiry to hear representations on the journalists’ backpay dispute, reports the Press Association. The dispute provoked a 12-day strike by daily newspaper journalists, except those in the northern industrial district. Mr Grills will report and make recommendations to the Minister on two issues — the date from which new rates of pay, .vhich incorporate increases ranging from 10 per cent to 14.5 per cent, will take effect, and the date on which the new award will end. Mr Gordon said the parties have agreed to accept Mr Grills’s recommendations. Mr Grills is a full-time mediator in the Government’s mediation and conciliation service. He is based in Dunedin. Ashburton journalists held a two-hour stop-work meeting on Saturday morning 60 minutes after they had returned to work after the strike. , After the meeting, Messrs D. Lemon and F. Veale, with two members of the Canterbury branch executive of the union, met the editor of the “Ashburton Guardian” (Mr M. Hopwood) and the managing director (Mr J. Bell). Mr Veale said that the “Guardian” had agreed to print an article giving a balanced account of the dispute.