Sound workers dispute could soon end

Press, 9 May 1981, Page 1

Sound workers dispute could soon end

PA' Auckland The dispute between the Broadcasting Corporation and television sound operators who are refusing to work overtime could be nearing an end. Although viewers will still miss out on some of their regular week-end programmes a Public Service Association, spokesman said yesterday a meeting planned for Monday morning could produce some positive results. The P.S.A. official said Broadcasting Corporation executives would meet representatives of the sound operators to discuss the argument and .it was possible that the ban would be lifted immediately. The dispute, simmering since December, is over the application of new pay scales, and, say the sound operators, the destruction of an old ranking system. About 35 Corporation sound operators spread throughout the country placed a ban on work after 8 p.m. and at weekends on Monday. Without their services, no local live productions can be shown. The meeting on Monday seems primarily to have been prompted by the Broadcasting Corporation’s concern that coverage of next week’s Labour Party conference would be disrupted. However. a P.S.A. officer said yesterday that talks on working at the Labour conference could well bring a solution to the whole problem.

“At least you could say it’s an opening,” he said.', - ' All live sports , shows over the week-end., have been scrapped and ■’ news bulletins will be replaced by recorded documentaries or “filmed news items.” This will not affect - the live F.A. Cup broadcast early tomorrow morning. The Labour Party’s publicity officer, Mr Simon Walker, said yesterday that the party had not been in touch with the Broadcasting Corporation’s head, Mr lan Cross, over the issue. He had been too busy arranging the conference itself.

The party had put no pressure on Mr Cross, Mr Walker said. Mr. Cross has asked the P.SiA. to lift..the overtime ban just for conference coverage, and “without prejudice to the resolution” of the dispute. “As this is election year the conference will be of particular significance to the public, and the corporation believes they should be given as much opportunity as possible to be informed of the policies and issues of the parties.”

. The industrial action would hinder the public’s opportunity to learn from television y about the Labour Party’s policies.