Striking B.N.Z. staff to meet tomorrow

Press, 26 December 1979, Page 2

Striking B.N.Z. staff to meet tomorrow

Christmas shoppers 11 Christchurch on Mon da; mas have been forced t< curtail their spending if thev were customers of the Baul of New Zealand. Almost all Bank of Nevi Zealand branches ant agencies in Christchurch closed when bank stafl voted 10 strike The dispute which also closed B.N.Z branches tn Wellington anc Auckland, is over a unioi claim for “above grade’ staff to receive award increases. Christchurch bank officer; voted last Friday to strike and vvill meet at 8.30 a m tomorrow to consider fur ther action. Mr P. S. Goulter, a Christchurch spokesman for the

1 Bank Officers’ Union, said he hoped that the bank’s > management and the union would meet before then to . discuss the issue. It is believed that only three Christchurch branches I of the B.N.Z. stayed open on 1 Mondav. Mr Goulter said that both the Hornby and New Brighton branches had offered I limited services with about half the usual number of staff. Union members in these branches had refused to abide by the decision of - the majority. Union rules did not provide for action to be taken against them. The Kaiapo' branch had also been open but was outside the scope of the dispute. > The B.N.Z’s. management was reluctant to comment on the dispute. A bank spokesman, Mr J. C. Twohill, said only that services had been "severely curtailed, in many instances necessitating the closing of a majority of those branches for all business transactions. ; , "We would suggest, how-' ever, that those customers ’ in need of service get in touch with their branch ■ where able, for advice as to ’ the availability of banking - services.” The B.N.Z.’s Christchurch . headquarters in Cathedral ! Square had on display a notice, Which said, in part. • "This -bank cannot be re- ; sponsible for and disclaims : any liability for any loss, ■ damage, or delay arising out •of any circumstances con--1 nected' with the industrial action bv bank staff.”