Unions must accept technology — P.M.

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 2

Unions must accept technology — P.M.

PA Masterton New technology in the freezing industry. was essential if New Zealand was to continue to remain competitive, said the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) in Masterton. He said that at last “common sense was prevailing” among some unionists, but cited ; the Gear meat works at Petone as ah- example where it was not. * “If ever there was a works put in jeopardy by trade union intransigence it was Petone,” he said.' He acknowledged it was badly sited, but said it could

have survived if the union had not over-priced it< labour. It was "insanity” for trade unionists not to accept new technology throughout the freezing industry, Mr Muldoon said. He drew parellels between union militants of today and those in the coalminers' union 40, years ago. “Mindless militancy in the coalminers’ union caused New Zealand industry to turn over to oil, so that they did not have jobs any longer. They priced themselves out

of the job 40 years ago, and we have got close to the point where the freezing workers in various areas are doing the same,” Mr Muldoon said.

“Of course we have to have them (freezing workers) but we do not have to have them in one specific place and if you are looking at Petone we do not have to have them there, and if their militancy prices them out of their own jobs, the ones I thank or blame are these militant trade union leaders.”