Union counters trading bill

Press, 14 August 1980, Page 4

Union counters trading bill

PA Wellington The Shop Employees* Industrial Association of Workers is prepared to go along with Saturday shopping during the three week-ends before Christmas.

As pressure yesterday grew on the Government to drop its proposed Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill, the association’s industrial officer (Mr R. J. Campbell) released the draft of its submissions to the Government Select Committee which will consider the bill. The association proposes that Saturday trading be restricted to the three weekends before Christmas from 9 a.m. to noon, and that provision in the law be made to cater for the tourist trade. Among other developments was a cal’ from a public meeting at Hamilton on Tuesday evening for greater dialogue between narties involved with the bill. The association describes its draft amendment as a “constructive attempt to remedy the deficiencies of the present legislation.”

Mr Campbell said it was a direct counter to the Government’s “extremist” legislation.

"Claims have now been lodged for our major award which includes a provision banning Saturday employment in the industry without the prior written agreement of the union,” Mr Campbell said.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) while opening the Labour Party’s East Coast Bays by-election campaign in Auckland said Labour would oppose Saturday trading, as it put regional shopping areas such as Mairangi Bay and Browns Bay at “critical risk.” 4

He said the present legislation would harm the consumer. the shop assistants, and the shop owners and in snite of changing lifestyles there was no need for a sellout. Mr Rowling said the concept of Saturday trading as it worked in the bays and in New Brighton. Christchurch. had worked under the existing legislation without the need for the present bill.