Change in law on picketing questioned

Press, 27 February 1981, Page 3

Change in law on picketing questioned

PA Wellington The Employers* Federation’ has questioned whether there should be any change to the law to legalise the kind of picketing which occurred a; .Auckland this week. The federation's deputy executive director, Mr Ray; Taylor, said the federation: viewed the 48 arrests and: widespread disruption that! followed as "obviouslv par*' of a broader political ino-j five.” I “This view is. supported: by the fact that many of| those arrested at Mangere; ■were not members of the| Auckland Airport Engineers’; Union, but had been called in to maximise the impact I of their probable arrest,” Mr| Taylor said. “We cannot but be seep-: tical of the motives of those! responsible for organising! this confrontation.” Mr Taylor said the issue; of a union member’s right to; picket was being used as a; smokescreen to hide the true; nature of Tuesday’s events' at the airport. “In fact, the union activity; of Tuesday went far beyond' the exercise of any freedom;! to picket. “Picketing should be i

peaceful and cannot be allowed to interfere with the right of other persons to work or do their norma! business.” Mr Taylor said the “socalled picket” at Mangere became unruly when union members began physically to obstruct the movement of airport employees into the terminal area. “The federation believes that union members breaching the law cannot expect, treatment different from any! other member of the public,”! Mr Taylor said. “People cannot expect im-i munity from the law simply because they are trade, unionists when an issue of I protesting is involved. "Should we indeed con-; template any amendment toi the law which would legiti-! mate the type of activity we! ;aw at Mangere." Mr Taylor also said it was! important to note that the' issue at the heart of the dis-1 aute was one in which the! Auckland engineers wanted, more than their counterparts! jlsewhere in New Zealand. As far as was known.; mgineers elsewhere in New; Zealand had not taken up the' ssue on their behalf. “This situation speaks for tself,” Mr Taylor said.