Drivers, turn down 13 p.c. pay offer

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 1

Drivers, turn down 13 p.c. pay offer

pA Wellington The Drivers’ Federation has rejected a 13 per cent wage offer made, grudgingly by the employers, but talks to try to settle the important genr eral drivers’ award, the first in this year’s pay round, will continue today.'

Earlier, the employers had offered 11.5 per cent. Their increased offer, according to their advocate, Mr D. Patten,, had been forced on the industry by the comment last week by the Minister of Labour (Mr Bolger) that a 13 per cent guideline would be “acceptable” to the Government.

Though the drivers rejected the new figure, there were strong indications yesterday that a settlement was close.

It may be up to the federation to further reduce its claim, which at the start of the negotiating stood at 20 per cent. This was later reduced to 16 per cent. Its advocate, Mr R. J. Campbell, said the 16 per cent was flexible and a settlement would be. reached for a lower amount "if that’s what’s required.” This could be -achieved" by > movements in • other award payments, he. suggested. “We are prepared to settle if the total figure gets a good deal closer to 16 per cent,” (than the employers’ offer). Mr. Patten had earlier ■criticised Mr Bolger for his reference to' a 13 per .cent mark last week. It was not acceptable to the employers, but.his remarks' had left- them little

option but reluctantly to accept. A 13 per cent rise, added to' the 4 per cent August cost-of-living order, would add about $26 or $27 a week to an average . driver’s pay packet. This would have a "very significant” flow-on effect into other awards, he said.

Mr Campbell said that accepting 13 per cent would also mean acceptance of a Governmentguided wage path. “We would be required to consult more widely with the rest of the union movement about the implications of that.”