Bank stoppages continue

Press, 21 February 1981, Page 3

Bank stoppages continue

Many branches of the Nat-i ional Bank and the Bank of New Zea'-nd throughout the country were closed yester-) day as part of the campaign, of rolling stoppages organised by the Bank Officers’) Union .in support of wage) claims.

In Christchurch, limited, services were available in the afternoon at the head office i I of the Bank of New Zealand and at the Colombo Street South and Armagh Street branches. Some country branches were also open in Canterbury yesterday. The secretary of -the;’ Canterbury branch of the ’ union, Mr P. Goulter, said ' that all branches of the Nat- i ional Bank in Christchurch < were closed. : i

•| The union’s assessors will' ■ I meet at the week-end to) H map out strategy of action) ■ifor next week in the event! il of continuing deadlock with! j he banks. The union .ias al-i ’jready said that on Monday I the Bank of New South (Wales, the Commercial.' jßank, and the Australia and) (New Zealand Bank will bei closed by strike action. The Minister of Labour I (N‘r Bolger) had informal, talks with representatives of i the Bankers’ Association but) it is believed the talks were! held to keep him up to date! jwith developments. There! was no indication yesterday that he might intervene in I the dispute by calling a) compulsory conference orl i taking similar action.