Telephonists’ go-slow

Press, 16 June 1979, Page 6

Telephonists’ go-slow

PA Wellington State telephonists yesterday began a week-long goslow which will produce a delay of at least three minutes on every telephone cal! into a Government department. About 30 Christchurch telephonists are taking part The action, in support of a wage claim, follows a oneday go-slow last week. The new go-slow will last until 1 p.m. next Friday, when telephonists in everv centre in New Zealand will stop work to review the position and decide on further industrial action. The telephonists want a salary rise of $5OO a vear at the basic grade level, with corresnondine adjustments throughout all grades. The State Services Co-or-

dinating Committee has rejected the demand, although it has offered some rises through the grades. The Assistant State Services Commissioner, Mr R. L. Green, expressed “regret” at the decision. He said the commission had made a comprehensive survey of rates payable in the private sector and had found that these were ahead of State rates for comparable work. The operators had since been offered an increase in salary rates to bring them into line with those in the private sector, he said. “Although the Public Service Association now accepts the results of the commission’s survey, it is seeking a higher rate for

certain specified positions,” Mr Green said.

Reasons in support of the higher rates were given to commission negotiators on Thursday afternoon. They had agreed to examine the validity of the P.S.A. claim “within the next few days,” Mr Green said.

This was not accepted by the P.SA. which instead handed over a pre-prepared notice of national go-slow action by telephonists. The association did not seem to want its claim properly examined by the commission or ru’ed upon by an independent wage-fixing tribunal. Mr Green said.