Alternative plan on shop trading hours

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 2

Alternative plan on shop trading hours

PA Wellington The Shop Employees’ Association is preparing its own draft legislation dealing with shop trading hours as an alternative to the Government’s proposed amendments to present law. The association’s industrial officer (Mr R. Campbell) said yesterday that “deficiencies” in the present Shop , Trading Hours Act had been) scrutinised and the association’s part in hearings round.

New Zealand reviewed. ' “We believe that the real interests of retailers, retail workers and consumers are [not incompatible on this question. I “Present legislation can be !made to work with far less i drastic revision than- that jplanned by the Government/’; he said. ' j | “Our own draft legislation [is consistent with the experience of the -Shop Trading I Hours Commission and we lexpect a fair amount of sup-

i port for it from retailers and 'the political parties.” ; Mr Campbell said the association’s national executive meeting in Wellington today, would consider the draft legislation which would be released publicly and prompted when the association made its submissions before the select committee on the lamending bill. 1 The executive would also review the campaign against the Government’s proposed legislation, and plan further action. As well, it would consider the final form of award claims for this year’s wage round. . . .

At. this stage, these were most likely to include a claim banning week-end work without the specific written, and prior, approval of the union. “We have to plan the steps we will take if the legislation is passed,” Mr Campbell said. “Also under discussion will be plans necessary for further industrial action on the issue, allied with a campaign for the education of the public and Parliamentarians,”