Wait and see on Haast ban

Press, 26 May 1981, Page 2

Wait and see on Haast ban

The Ministry of Works and Development is keeping its options open in the face of a ban by 30 Haast road workers that might prevent the clearance of slips while negotiations continue for an isolation allowance, ’ j The Haast workers, who have worked to rule for - about nine weeks in support ' Of their claim for a better , allowance, decided at the ; week-end to refuse to clear ■' any slips or snow blocking, ; the road until they get the” allowance they want. f However, they have agreed ‘ to keep the road safe while it . is open by clearing fallen--, trees or- spreading sand on ice. ' The acting district civil engineer, Mr D. A. Tucker,.)! said that there would be no danger to motqrjsts, but they might be inconvenienced. He said that’ the Ministry was keeping its options open on .action in the event of a slip. He had riot considered calling in the Army to clear the • road if the workers refused. Single workers now receive 560 gross a year and •

married workers $B7 as an isolation allowance. The whole issue of isolation allowances for the State sector is under negotiation between the State Services Commission and the Combined State Unions. Under the latest offer from the Commission, Haast workers would be classified as the most isolated group of State workers, qualifying for an annual,allowance of $lO9O. .There would be four other groups, with allowances graded according to distance from the nearest reasonably sized town. The assistant commissioner of the State Services Commission, Mr D, J. Swallow. said that the allowance wquld be considered as a reimbursing payment, but Whether it incurred tax Would be a matter for the Inland Revenue Department. The Haast workers, who are represented By the Public Ser vice-Association, want a minimum of $l7lO a year. 1 The Commission is now considering a reply from tlie C.S.U. to its offer last Week;