Court rules in favour of Printers’ Union

Press, 25 November 1981, Page 7

Court rules in favour of Printers’ Union

PA Wellington The Arbitration Court has ruled in favour of the Printers’ Union in its demarcation disputes with the Clerical Workers' Union over the use of new technology at newspapers in Wellington and Christchurch.

In two separate decisions, the Court has found that the use of computerised visual display terminals by the telead operators in the classified advertising departments of both Wellington Newspapers and Christchurch Press Co.. Ltd. is essentially printing. As such the operators are properly covered bv the printing trades award and are entitled to become members of the Printers’ Union, said the Court. The specific claim against the general manager and production manager of “The Press" was dismissed by the Court. It had been alleged by the Canterbury Clerical Workers' Union that the general manager and production manager had incited, instigated, aided or abetted their company to continue to employ the telead operators who had failed to remain members of the Clerical Workers’ Union. The Court found no evidence suggesting incitement.

instigation, and. on the merits. held against that claim. “While the rules of the Clerical Union are wide in genera! terms, the rules of the Printers’ Union concerning membership are more appropriate." The Court agrees the work of the tele-ad operators before the introduction of the new technology was clerical. “We do not agree that the skills now employed are primarily or even substantially those of a clerical nature." the court said. “Even though the initial skill required is that of operating a typewriter keyboard, such a skill has become merged in skills which are

primarily those of a printing nature, function and purpose.” . In the case of the Christchurch company, the Court has found that advertisement checkers and system controllers at “The Press." are also covered by the Printing Trades Award. The Court has dismissed penalty claims sought by the Canterbury Clerical Workers' Union against the Christchurch Press Co.. Ltd, for alleged breaches of the Clerical Workers’ Award. The 1977 Fairfax decision in New South Wales, in which Judge Cahill found in favour of the Clerks’ Union in a new technology demarcation dispute involving

newspapers. has been of little assistance, said the Court. This is because the equipment and processes in that case differed from the present cases. In the Wellington case, it was unfortunate that an attempt to resolve the matter between the unions with the help of the Federation of Labour failed. However, any form of job splitting (as suggested by the F.O.L. and the Clerical Workers' Union) is impracticable. said the Court. The Arbitration Court comprised Chief Judge C. J. Horn and Messrs J. B. Walton (Employers) and J. A. Boomer (Employees!.