'Kinleith pact jeopardised’

Press, 17 April 1980, Page 6

'Kinleith pact jeopardised’

PA Wellington Th* Prime Minister . (Mr Muldoon) yesterday warned the Federation of Labour that putting conditions, on 'i,ts attendance at the wage talks on April 24 could overturn the Kinleith pay agreement. Among the components of that agreement was that the F.O.L. agreed ,to attend talks On'a broad wages policy with 'the Government and the ■New Zealand Employers’; Federation.

n-’But the F.O.L.’s president (Mr W. J. Knox) has indicated that the F.O.L. might hot attend the talks; if there ;is ■ no cost-of-living adjustment, or if regulations controlling the \ storemen’s jaward in the freightfqrwarding industry are not lifted. • '. ;.-; J Mr Muldoon said yesterday •that the wage policy talks

I were part of a written agreement between the Government and the F.O.L. “No additional conditions can be inserted at this late stage without overturning the whole of that complex agreement,” Mr Muldoon said. “I expect the F.O.L. to honour its agreement, just as the F.O.L. would expect the Government to honour any such agreement. I have never know Mr Knox to renege on an agreement and I do not expect it to happen now,” he said.

Mr Muldoon has agreed to meet the F.O.L. to. discuss its case for a cost-of-living pay rise at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Mr Muldoon said he could not see the deputation until tomorrow because of other commitments, including a two-day Government caucus and his absence from Wellington.