Aust, air dispute worsens

Press, 27 December 1980, Page 1

Aust, air dispute worsens

NZPA Canberra Further disruption of Australian air traffic seemed likely yesterday as airport electronics ' technicians threatened to extend their ban on maintaining radar equipment, while the Federal Government told them to end their action or lose pay. The technicians, who are members of the Professional Radio and Electronics Institute, said that they would extend their, ban, possibly to other navigational aids, unless their employer, the Public Service Board, made a substantial offer soon on their claim for a 13 per cent pay rise and improved job gradings.

Transport Australia said that such a development could close the main airports. The institute refused to participate in Christmas Eve talks sought by the Australian Council of Trade Unions because the institute and the board could not agree on terms for reopening negotiations.

The president of the institute, Mr Chris McGrane, said that the board wanted discussions if the ban was lifted but was not prepared to make a meaningful offer.

The board said that if the ban was not lifted by midnight on December 30 the technicians would be taken off pay. The technicians had severely dislocated a strategic industry while continuing to draw full pay throughout the dispute.