Unions fume over wage-curbs threat

Press, 3 February 1979, Page 1

Unions fume over wage-curbs threat

PA Wellington Trade-union leaders reacted strongly yesterday to a threat by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) to impose wage controls. Mr Muldoon had said that wage controls would be imposed from Monday unless engine drivers and boiler attendants ended a strike campaign to cover union members by house agreements. , The president of the Federation of Labour (Sir Thomas Skinner) warned Mr Muldoon not to be foolish. He said that the F.O.L.

had told Mr Muldoon that free bargaining could not continue in an atmosphere of Government threats and interference. The president of the Wellington Trades Council (Mr P. Kelly) described Mr Muldoon’s threats as “incredible,” and said that Mr Muldoon was looking for an excuse to impose wage controls because of the failure of his economic policies. The national secretary of the Engine Drivers’ Union (Mr G. H. Andersen) said yesterday that Mr Muldoon would not be threatening to take such

action if the union was not winning its case with individual employers. The union’s national executive would meet in Auckland on Monday and would discuss Mr Muldoon’s threat. He said that the union had asked individual employers to agree to: — A $4 a week payment in recognition of trade qualifications. — The award offers made by employers during the unsuccessful award talks. — Backdating to last October. Continued, Page ,4