Drivers promised more than

Press, 13 August 1980, Page 2

Drivers promised more than

PA- Wellington The road-transport industry yesterday promised to increase its offer ,of al3 per cent wage increase for drivers. . ..- '4. The advocate for the Drivers’ Federation, Mr R, J. Campbell, said it was a most constructive move.

“We now think ; we can get the award settled next week,” he said. The conciliation council talks were adjourned to August 20 on the understanding that the employers

would increase their offer then. . j The 13 per cent offer! came on Monday after the employers’ advocate, Mr ! David Patten, had said that the Minister of Labour (Mr Bolger) had forced the employers into it by describing 13 per cent as a level the Government would find acceptable. The drivers were then claiming 16 per cent but said that this claim was flexible.

In a brief council session ' yesterday morning, Mr Pat- ; ten said that while the in-

dustry was convinced that the 13 per cent offer was its maximum, it was prepared to move above that if a set-tlement-of the award could be achieved. • “We believe it is essential in both the industry’s and the union’s interest that a settlement be made,” he said. ■ ■1 :

The drivers’ award is significant because it is the first of a new round of awards to be negotiated. The employers had earlier offered 11.5 per cent, with the drivers starting negotiations at 20 per cent.